Almost 20 people have been injured, several critically, after a car slammed into pedestrians outside Flinders Street Station.
Police believe it was a deliberate act.
The driver of the white SUV, a 32-year-old man of Afghan descent, was arrested by an off-duty police officer shortly after the car hit the crowd at 4.40pm on Thursday.
He’s known to police and has a history of drug use and mental illness.
Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews described the incident as an “act of evil and cowardice”.
Click PLAY below to hear from the Premier
The off-duty officer sustained shoulder and hand injuries during the arrest and was taken to hospital.
The driver of the car was taken to hospital under police guard.
A second person was arrested, a 24-year-old man, after he was observed filming the incident.
It’s now believed he had no links to what happened. However, he is assisting police.
A total of 19 people were injured. Two people were also treated for non-collision related injuries.
Click PLAY below to hear what police said at 9.30pm on Thursday
“It just mowed everybody down, people were flying everywhere.”
In the aftermath, Sue told 3AW Drive: “People are running everywhere. It’s terrible.”
“As it (the car) approached this intersection here … it just mowed everybody down, people were flying everywhere.”
Click PLAY to hear more from Sue
Darren told 3AW his wife was waiting in her car at the intersection when she saw the car speed past on the tram lines beside her.
“She’s on the phone crying to me,” he said.
“The guy gunned the car and accelerated into the intersection.
“And then when he hit the first lot of people he revved the engine again.
Click PLAY below to hear more from Darren
“I didn’t want the kids to see anything. We just ran. I want to get the girls out of there so we ran into the closest building,” caller Ashley told 3AW Drive.
“It ran into the tram stop – there would’ve been so many people waiting for a tram there.
“I’m hoping this is an accident. I’m hoping this is an accident.”
Click PLAY below to hear more from Ashley
As you will know, there’s been a horrible incident on Flinders St. Police have secured the scene and will provide info as it’s confirmed. Please avoid the area. Trains running but trams affected. Stay safe. Check on your loved ones. And thank you to our brave emergency services. — Daniel Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) December 21, 2017
UPDATE Flinders Street: Due to a major incident at the intersection of Elizabeth and Flinders Streets, passengers are advised to defer travel through Flinders Street Station. Please interchange for services at Southern Cross and City Loop Stations. . pic.twitter.com/nQsUokkXhc — Metro Trains (@metrotrains) December 21, 2017
Horrendous scenes in the city. My thoughts are with all involved as it unfolds. Increadible job being done by our emergency services. — Matthew Guy MP (@MatthewGuyMP) December 21, 2017
Click PLAY below to hear more from Kearsley
NotThePersona on December 21st, 2017 at 08:27 UTC »
I was there, car entered the intersection via the tram tracks while everyone was crossing the road. It was travelling about 80-100km/h. (see edit below) I personally saw about 8 people on the ground afterwards (Didnt see the kid, would have been more shaken if I had I think)
Car went through the intersection in 1-2 seconds and smashed into the tram stop. People swarmed the car to drag out the driver for when the police arrived. Other people helped the injured, within 5-10 seconds each injured person had 3-4 People helping them.
I'm not there anymore so don't have any have updates past about 30min after. I Pretty much gave my statement to police then headed home.
Edit:formatting
Yeah thinking about it in hindsight (and checking google maps for distance) if it did take 2 seconds then it was only travelling 30-40km/h. And I trust my sense of time more then my sense of speed I think.
dorcus_malorcus on December 21st, 2017 at 07:24 UTC »
Looks pretty bad. amazingly lucky that only 14 people injured considering that the car was apparently going at high speed.
I hope the kid pulls through.
tfburns on December 21st, 2017 at 06:22 UTC »
Ambos say they assessed 12 people. Of those, two people have been taken to hospital. One was a young child.
UPDATE: 13 people have been taken to hospital. Some are in a serious condition.