Car slams into Melbourne CBD pedestrians: One dead, many injured
One person has died and five others were injured when a car ploughed into pedestrians in Melbourne’s busy CBD, before slamming into two vehicles.
Onlookers watched in horror as a white Toyota sedan hit three people at a tram stop at Swanston and Bourke streets about 6.20pm Friday.
The car then continued along the street and collided with two other vehicles near Russell and Bourke streets — a white Hyundai and a grey Mazda SUV.
Police said the driver of the Hyundai was killed. Two people in the Mazda SUV, which was believed to be an Uber, suffered minor injuries.
As shocked bystanders rushed to help the victims, the dreadlocked driver of the Toyota was seen climbing out of the driver seat.
The man, who was dressed all in white, was identified as a 26-year-old from West Melton who was known to police for “mental-health interactions”.
In video footage circulated on social media, he is seen sitting calmly on the roof of his wrecked car until two police officers take him away after a brief scuffle.
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The streets of Melbourne were packed on Friday night ahead of Carlton’s blockbuster AFL clash against Sydney at the MCG.
Many people were standing around the crash scene in apparent shock and anger while others tried to assist victims lying on the ground.
In January 2017, six people were killed and dozens more injured when ‘Bourke Street killer’ James Gargasoulas drove into a busy Bourke Street Mall in one of Australia’s “worst examples of mass murder”.
‘No ongoing threat’
Speaking at the crime scene on Friday night, Superintendent Zorka Dunstan assured the public there were no terrorism links.
“Obviously any incident of this magnitude is concerning for Victoria Police,” she said.
“I can assure the community that there is no ongoing threat and the area will remain closed while the investigation continues.
“At this early stage there’s nothing to suggest any terror links.
“The good thing is that we had a quick arrest.”
Supt Dunstan said the driver was undergoing a mental health assessment on Friday night.
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Paramedics assessed five people at the scene — the three tram-stop pedestrians and a driver and passenger who were in the Mazda.
Supt Dunstan said the three pedestrians were taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Two people in the Mazda SUV also suffered minor injuries.
A sixth person was rushed to Royal Melbourne Hospital in a serious condition.
Bourke Street from Swanston Street through to Exhibition Street was closed and people were urged to avoid the area.
Gratitude owed to Samaritans
Yarra Trams suspended all trams along Bourke and Swanston streets.
Police said they were grateful to bystanders who came to the aid of the injured.
“In any of these situations, it’s obviously critical that we get assistance where we can,” Supt Dunstan.
“We were obviously very grateful for the people who’ve rendered assistance and we’ll also be speaking to them and offering support.”
Supt Dunstan urged witnesses and anyone with dashcam footage to contact police.
Premier Daniel Andrews said Victorians were thinking of the victims and their families.
“I’ve just spoken with the Chief Commissioner about the serious incident in the CBD tonight,” he said in a post on social media platform X on Friday night.
“Tragically, one person has lost their life and five others are injured – I know all Victorians are thinking of them and their families tonight.”
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- beyondblue 1300 22 4636
-with AAP
