The wife of murdered London cab driver Vijay Bhatia collapsed at the spot where her husband was killed during an emotional memorial service on Thursday.
Despite rainy conditions, more than 100 people met for the candlelight service at Westmount Shopping Centre on Wonderland Rd. S, and walked to the Mac's Milk where Bhatia was killed.
The 64-year-old cab driver died early Saturday after being pulled from his vehicle and severely beaten in front of the variety store at 925 Wonderland Rd. S.
Fellow cab driver Vidak Grahovac, who had been friends with Bhatia for ten years, said he went to the variety store on Saturday after he'd heard something had happened to Bhatia. The police were already there, he said.
"I saw one detective and he asked me what I was doing, and I asked 'Is it true? Is he dead?' and he confirmed it," said Grahovac. "I started crying like a small child."
Grahovac said he was touched by the number of people who attended the service, and added that Bhatia's death is an enormous loss.
"If you know him and he knows you -- anything you need, he will give you... he was a really amazing guy," he said.
Roger Caranci, the spokesperson for the London Taxi Association, said Bhatia was seen as a mentor in the community.
"Many immigrants who have come to this country have used his advice to provide for their families, and he's remembered for that," he said. "I remember he always had a smile on his face when I saw him and he always gave me the thumbs up... Just a really, really nice man."
He said the taxi community is still in shock over Bhatia's death.
"This has happened in this industry in the past 40 years. I believe this is the third time, and it's not something you ever get used to," said Caranci.
Another friend of Bhatia's and a fellow cab driver, Deb Abdalla, said his death has been hard on everyone who knew him.
"He was a very nice, gentle man," she said. "It's a nightmare come true."
She said it's very fortunate there was a camera in Bhatia's cab when he was attacked.
"[Cameras have] had a deterrent effect, but also, when something like this happens, [police] can identify the suspect right away," she said.
Police were provided the video from the cab, which led to the arrest of 23-year-old Cody Perkin. Perkin is currently charged with second-degree murder in Bhatia’s death.
"I'm here today out of respect for [Bhatia]. I'm here today because I fought really hard to get cameras in Uber [vehicles] and this is exactly why... because of something like this happening."
In February, city council passed a bylaw that allows Uber drivers to operate in London without camera systems.
"I don't know if city hall is going to wake up and see what's happened here," she said.
London Deputy Mayor Paul Hubert also spoke in Bhatia's memory to those who attended, and London North Centre MP Peter Fragiskatos wrote a letter which was read at the service.
