Sydney Uber Eats Driver Terminated After Alleged Elevator Urination Incident
A delivery driver for Uber Eats has been terminated after allegedly being caught on camera urinating inside a Sydney apartment building elevator while on duty. The food delivery incident, which occurred in Artarmon on Sydney’s North Shore, has sparked outrage and led to a police investigation.
CCTV Footage Captures Alleged Act
Security camera footage reportedly captured the moment the male driver entered the lift in an Artarmon apartment complex on March 10. He was carrying a takeaway order from Betty’s Burgers, according to reports from 2GB radio.
The footage purportedly shows the individual, with his back to the camera, adjusting his pants and moving towards the corner of the elevator.
A damp patch was later observed on the elevator carpet after the driver exited, reports indicate.
Uber Eats Reacts Swiftly
On Tuesday, radio host Ben Fordham from 2GB announced that the driver’s account had been deactivated. This action effectively prevents him from continuing to work for the food delivery platform.
Uber Eats released a statement to news.com.au on Monday, confirming they were investigating the situation. A spokesperson stated, “We strongly condemn this kind of behavior, which has no place on the Uber platform.”
The company emphasized their community guidelines, which “clearly set out the rules that we expect all users, including delivery people to follow.” Breaching these guidelines, they added, “can result in loss of access to the Uber app.”
Police Launch Investigation
NSW Police have confirmed the commencement of an official investigation into the alleged incident. Authorities are urging anyone with relevant information to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800-333-000.
Eyewitness Account of the Footage
Ben Fordham of 2GB described the footage, stating there was “no mistaking” the driver’s actions. He recounted, “All of the elevator floor is dry then he starts fiddling with the front of his pants and then he’s pressing the buttons in the lift. And he seems to be obsessed with this corner of the lift. We know why, because he’s taking a pee.”
Fordham further detailed the footage: “He’s standing there for I don’t know, 10 to 15 seconds as the elevator is going up … then he does something to adjust the front of his pants and he steps outside, leaving behind the wet patch.”
According to Fordham’s description, the driver was holding “food in his right hand and his willy in his left hand.”
Resident Expresses Disgust
Geoffrey Grasso, a resident and building secretary, voiced his dismay over the incident. He suggested the delivery driver may have switched hands as he exited the elevator.
“It’s just revolting,” Grasso told 2GB, adding that fellow residents were “disgusted.”
“I don’t know what goes through somebody’s mind to think that that in any way, shape, size, or form, (is) acceptable,” Grasso stated.
Grasso indicated that “all the evidence that we have” points to the individual being an Uber Eats delivery driver.
He raised concerns about “their food handling training of their drivers at the very, very least,” and added, “But the one thing that literally disgusts me is the fact that he is holding those people’s food while he is urinating and then delivers it to them.”
Building Damage and Repair Costs
Grasso reported that while the elevator had been cleaned, a lingering odor remains. He estimated repair costs, potentially including carpet replacement, to be at least $2,000.
“We may well need to change the carpet … it’s going to mount up. The building manager estimates no less than $2,000 just for that,” he explained.
Grasso concluded, “It’s just a disgusting thing to do, it breaches any form of normal etiquette and health standards. I’m sure if he was that desperate and said to the resident in question, ‘may I use your toilet’, I’m sure they would have said yes.”