Almost 20 people are injured and a man has been arrested after a four wheel drive drove into pedestrians in the middle of the Melbourne CBD, in what police are calling a "deliberate act" perpetrated by a man with mental health issues.
Reports and photos flooded social media on Thursday afternoon around 4.30pm. The vehicle collided with a number of people at the intersection of Flinders and Elizabeth streets, outside the Flinders Street station.
Not good, appears a 4wd has hit pedestrians in #Melbourne CBD - image from @sirVIX_a_lot #breakingnews @theheraldsun @newscomauHQ pic.twitter.com/nmBNeRbxt8
— Ryan Northover (@RyanNorthover) December 21, 2017
"A lot of frightened people."
— Brianna Travers (@briannatravers) December 21, 2017
Caller reports a SUV has ran through a pedestrian crossing in the CBD at the intersection of Flinders St and Elizabeth St.
Emergency services on site. @3AW693 pic.twitter.com/LJouTQe25j
As of 5.45pm, paramedics said up to 15 people were injured with 13 in to hospital, including one young child who has already been transported to hospital in a serious condition. At 9.45pm, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the number of hospitalisations had risen to 19, including four people in a critical condition.
Paramedics have now transported 13 people to city hospitals. Two more people are being assessed by paramedics at the scene.
— Ambulance Victoria (@AmbulanceVic) December 21, 2017
In a 7pm press conference, Commander Russell Barrett said officers believed the crash was a "deliberate act", which had left several people in critical condition. The officer said the motivation behind the act remained unknown. In a later update, around 9.45pm, police said the driver -- a 32-year-old Australian citizen -- had a history of mental health issues, and was receiving treatment for a mental illness.
The driver was apprehended by an off-duty police officer who happened to be at the scene at the time.
"[The driver] has historical assault matters... He has a history of drug use and mental health issues," said Acting Chief Commissioner Shane Patton.
"This is early days, but we understand he is on a mental health plan and is receiving treatment and mental illness. We are working through to clarify that. He is still in custody, under arrest for these offences, for what we allege was a deliberate act."
"A range of investigators, including the homicide squad, are being supported by the counterterrorism command. At this time we do not have any evidence for any intelligence to indicate there is a connection with terrorism."
Melbourne: "We believe this was a deliberate act" - Police. Witnesses say a speeding car deliberately drove at Christmas shoppers on Flinders Street. #7News https://t.co/OeSp8wckT1
— 7 News Sydney (@7NewsSydney) December 21, 2017
"What occurred on Flinders Street this afternoon was an act of evil. And an act of cowardice," Premier Andrews said.
"We have seen a horrific act, an evil act, an act of cowardice, perpetrated against innocent bystanders. We are all caught up in this. We are all deeply saddened and deeply wounded by this terrible act."
Footage from the scene showed a white four wheel drive with damage to its front. A person claiming to be a witness called radio station 3AW, saying there were "five to seven people laying on the ground" following the crash.
Another 3AW caller claimed the car "just mowed everybody down, people were flying everywhere."
BREAKING: At least five people are laying motionless on Flinders St after an incident apparently involving a car at Elizabeth St intersection @theheraldsun. pic.twitter.com/rU1gKMEFZL
— Sophie Smith (@SophieSmith86) December 21, 2017
Scene on Flinders St. White SUV has gone through pedestrians and crashed into tram stop @9NewsMelb pic.twitter.com/dDYYVFCpMW
— Andrew Lund (@andrew_lund) December 21, 2017
.@AhronYoung: There is a huge @VictoriaPolice presence near Flinders street in Melbourne after a white vehicle hit pedestrians. Witnesses are being urged to come forward. MORE: https://t.co/0pY5byFdlq pic.twitter.com/azeYk8hNEK
— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) December 21, 2017
Police and ambulance units are on the scene, with Victoria Police saying the driver had been arrested at the scene. Police later advised that a second man had also been arrested in relation to the incident, but Patton later updated that police did not think that man was linked to the crash -- rather, he was arrested after being found with three knives in his bag.
.@AhronYoung: 'Both men are in handcuffs as they sit on the ground surrounded by police officers. A photographer has captured images of the men. They appear to be quietly and calmly talking to police' MORE: https://t.co/0pY5byFdlq pic.twitter.com/AlBHHzP8S2
— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) December 21, 2017
"Police have saturated the CBD area following an incident where a car has collided with a number of pedestrians on Flinders Street. The incident occurred when the vehicle struck a number of pedestrians in front of Flinders Street Station just after 4.30pm," police said in a statement.
"The driver of the vehicle and a second man have been arrested and are in police custody."
Melanie Burton / Reuters
People and vehicles are being asked to avoid the area, while police are also looking for witnesses to the incident. Trains, trams and buses are being diverted around the busy transport hub, causing chaos in the city's commuter peak hour.
Police are currently attending an incident on Flinders Street between Elizabeth and Swanston streets where a vehicle has collided with a number of pedestrians. Police have arrested the driver of the car. Extent of injuries are not known at this stage. (1/2)
— Victoria Police (@VictoriaPolice) December 21, 2017
Police are asking any witnesses to go to the Melbourne West Police Station at 313 Spencer Street, Melbourne and all vehicular and pedestrian traffic to avoid the area. (2/2)
— Victoria Police (@VictoriaPolice) December 21, 2017
More to come.
