Vic taxi driver and good Samaritan bashed

A good Samaritan ended up in hospital after he came to the aid of a Melbourne taxi driver who was being bashed.

An argument began between the taxi driver and a man after a woman was refused a fare outside a Williamstown restaurant about 1am on Sunday.

The man began bashing the driver through one of the taxi windows and then hit out at the vehicle several times.

He then lashed out at a 27-year-old Point Cook man who tried to intervene and help the driver.

The good-willed bystander received facial injuries and was taken to Werribee Hospital.

The offender ran away and the taxi driver drove off after the attack.

Police are appealing for witnesses, including the woman and the driver, and say the offender is Caucasian and aged in his early 20s.