A HungryPanda delivery rider and father of two was fatally stabbed while picking up a food order in Melbourne’s CBD.
Emergency services were called to Fredrick Way shortly before 8.10pm on Friday after reports that a man had been found with suspected stab wounds.
Despite efforts to perform CPR, 47-year-old Jianming Feng was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said a second man, aged in his 30s, was found nearby with a suspected stab wound a short time later. He was taken to hospital for treatment.
Feng moved to Australia in about 2017, while his wife of 30 years, Xu, and their two adult children remained in China.
He had not returned home since relocating and planned to work in Australia for another two years, Xu told 7NEWS.com.au.
She said Feng was working to support his family and his elderly father, who lived in a nursing home that cost between 4000 and 5000 yuan ($800–$1000) each month.
Xu learned about the incident after seeing footage shared on WeChat. The video showed a man collapsing against a restaurant wall as another person tried to help him.
Jianming Feng, 47, suffered suspected stab wounds to the chest on Friday night and died despite attempts to revive him.
Emergency services were called to Fredrick Way shortly before 8.10pm on Friday.
The HungryPanda rider and father of two was collecting a food order in Melbourne’s CBD when the alleged stabbing took place.
A Good Samaritan can be heard calling for towels “to apply pressure” to the wound, while a woman urges someone to “get an ambulance”.
“At first, I couldn’t believe it. But when I saw the footage, I recognised his delivery bag,” Xu told 7News.
“We video-called almost every day, so I knew exactly what bag he carried. I recognised his face straight away.”
A witness who knew Feng told the Herald Sun that Feng had been working when the stabbing occurred.
“He was working all day here, trying to feed his family. He delivered food to me before. I know this guy. I can recognise his face.”
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The witness said he had seen footage of the aftermath and never expected an incident of this kind to happen in Australia.
“I couldn’t breathe,” he said.
“I thought Australia was a wealthy, developed country. This is something I never expected.”
Police said a second man in his 30s was found nearby with a suspected stab wound shortly afterwards and taken to hospital.
A recent Slater and Gordon survey found that two-thirds of food delivery workers are concerned about their safety while working (stock image).
HungryPanda released a statement after the death, saying it was deeply saddened by the tragedy.
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with his family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,” the company said.
“We have established a dedicated response team and are actively reaching out to his family to offer the necessary assistance and support.
“The safety and wellbeing of every delivery rider remain among our highest priorities. We are also providing guidance and support to our rider community during this difficult time.”
A recent survey of 250 delivery riders and drivers by law firm Slater and Gordon found that two-thirds, or 65 per cent, were concerned about their safety at work.
Half of those surveyed said they feared an assault could occur while working. That included 34 per cent who were concerned about an assault in their vehicle and 25 per cent who worried about an incident at a customer’s premises or a pickup location.
Among motorcycle riders, about 52 per cent said they were concerned about being assaulted while collecting or delivering food.
Homicide Squad detectives attended the scene, where cordons were put in place between Queen Street and A’Beckett Street.
Victoria Police said investigators were examining whether the stabbing was targeted.
Detectives arrested a 51-year-old Footscray man in Footscray on Saturday morning.
The man remains in custody and is expected to be interviewed. Police said they are not seeking anyone else in connection with the incident.