UPDATE 5.20pm
Police have given media a second briefing, revealing that the three people who died were a man and woman in their thirties plus a child. The child’s age was not given at this stage. All three were struck at separate locations.
An additional five people are currently in critical condition, including a child, whose age again will not be given at this stage. Emergency treatment was given to the child at the scene before being taken to hospital in a police car, as they felt they couldn’t wait for an ambulance.
The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne has also held a brief press conference revealing details about the five children received by them for treatment. The chief of surgery confirmed to journalists that they were currently treating a two-year-old who has been transferred to the ICU, a nine-year-old with limb injuries, a 12-year-old who is currently undergoing assessment in the emergency department and a 23-year-old with a limb injury.
Police confirmed that the offender is a 26-year-old male who has an extensive history of family violence and has come across the police’s radar many times. He also has a history of mental health and drug issues.
He was charged last weekend over violent assaults. A pursuit with the offender was attempted this morning but was abandoned by police due to the actions of the driver leading to concerns for the community.
Police urge anyone worried about loved ones to contact 1800 727 077 and anyone with information about today’s incident to contact Crime Stoppers. The crime scene will remain closed until tomorrow so the public are discouraged from trying to travel through that area.
UPDATE: 3.17pm
Police confirmed in a briefing to media that three people have now died in relation with the incident. They have also confirmed that this is not a counter terrorism-related incident, but is in fact related to an earlier stabbing in the Windsor area.
There is no ongoing threat to the public as the offender is in custody and is helping with their inquiries. They also urge people to stay away from the Bourke Street area in Melbourne CBD.
Original story:
It has been confirmed that one person is dead and at least 20 are injured following an out-of-control car ploughing through pedestrians in Melbourne CBD during the lunchtime rush hour.
The driver is said to have driven through Bourke Street Mall sending “bodies flying into the air”, after first being seen “doing burnouts” and “hanging out of the window” outside Flinders Street Station at about 1.30pm.
Victoria Police have confirmed that they have arrested one man in connection with the incident.
A witness who spoke to The Age claimed to have seen the car hit a pram. Other witnesses also reported hearing shots being fired following the huge car chase with police.
Tragically, Melbourne police have confirmed that one person has been killed. They also say the situation has been contained and have urged people to clear the area to aid them in their duties.
Their statement read:
“A man has been arrested following an incident in the CBD this afternoon. At this early stage it is believed a man driving a vehicle has struck a number of pedestrians in the vicinity of Bourke and Queens Streets just before 2pm. Emergency services are assisting multiple patients but at least one person has been confirmed deceased. Pedestrian access has been closed on Bourke Street between William and Swanston Streets. The exact circumstances surrounding the incident are yet to be determined and we will provide further information when it comes to hand. Police request that people avoid the area. The situation is now contained.”
Images, videos and eyewitness accounts have been rolling in on Twitter and paint a pretty terrifying scene of the incident at one of Australia’s busiest malls.
Police will provide more information as they have it.
