“After fighting to the very end‚ it is with great sadness (we confirm that) Zalman Orlianski passed away at 17h51 on 16 September‚” a family statement read.
Zalman Orlianski, has succumbed to his injuries, eight days after he got into a physical confrontation with an Uber driver regarding a parking space at OR Tambo International Airport. The 71 year old man suffered severe head injuries after the assault on Sunday 9 September and was taken to a nearby hospital in Johannesburg. After a week in intensive care, Orlianski passed away on Monday morning. As EWN report, Uber has since removed the man from its service and say that he has been arrested.
The driver in question is expected to appear in court this Monday..
Management staff reviewed the video footage before a public statement was made on Wednesday. They confirmed the drivers of a green SUV and a gold-coloured vehicle threw punches at each other after the SUV driver – Orlianski – kicked the fender off of the Uber car.
Despite airport security’s attempt to stop the altercation, OR Tambo officials say Orlianski poked the driver in the face before another brawl ensued. This time, the Uber driver knocked the 71-year-old to the floor and drove away. The police are now reviewing the video footage.
