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Out-of-control car mows down pedestrians in Melbourne Out-of-control car mows down pedestrians in Melbourne
(35 minutes later)
A car has hit pedestrians in Bourke Street mall in Melbourne after reports it was driving erratically. One person is dead and a man is in police custody after a car drove into pedestrians in Bourke Street mall in Melbourne.
The car drove into the mall about 1.30pm and police said a number of people had been injured. Ambulance officers were reportedly treating up to 12 people. The car was reportedly driving erratically before it mounted the footpath and hit a number of pedestrians, according to witnesses.
Victoria Police said the circumstances of the incident were being investigated. “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,” Victoria police said.
The corner of Bourke Street and Elizabeth Street was closed and some pedestrians were been directed into the GPO by police as they tried to clear the area. “Emergency services are assisting multiple patients but at least one person has been confirmed deceased.”
One witness trapped in the GPO said they saw the car flash by and people bouncing off the roof as it hit them. The police statement didn’t provide details about the deceased person, or how he or she died. It said the situation was now “contained”.
More to come Ambulance Victoria confirmed that paramedics were treating a number of people hit by the car.
A witness, Hank Kerr, said he had seen people jumping out of the way but there were also people being hit and thrown to one side. “All we could see was just the car and carnage – people were flying everywhere.”
Kerr said the car had mounted the footpath and kept driving up Bourke Street through crowds of pedestrians.
Hank Kerr was on the 96 tram when he saw a car hitting pedestrians in Bourke St. pic.twitter.com/k8o3c4LQjx
Another witness, who did not wish to be named, said he was walking from the post office towards the Bourke and Elizabeth street intersection when he heard a car “screaming down” the Bourke Street mall at high speed, which is for pedestrians and trams only.
“Because it was so loud I looked up and I saw one person bounce off the windscreen of the car before it disappeared down Bourke Street towards Spencer Street, and police cars were following it and a helicopter chasing it,” he told Guardian Australia.
“I could see at least two groups of injured people. I saw someone lying on the ground near the corner of Bourke and Elizabeth and then someone else down near Bourke Street. Now they’ve blocked off all the streets.”
According to another, Meg Watson, the car mounted the kerb “at pace” and struck pedestrians.
A car mounted the sidewalk at pace and sent at least half a dozen pedestrians flying in the air. I was on the other side of the road. https://t.co/tSflMvpn2k
Victoria police said the circumstances were being investigated and pedestrian access to Bourke Street between William and Swanston streets had been closed.
The corner of Bourke and Elizabeth streets was closed and some pedestrians were been directed into the GPO by police as they tried to clear the area.
More than 10 police cars in the area. #bourkestreet corner #elizabethstreet closed to traffic. pic.twitter.com/etTln2A1kpMore than 10 police cars in the area. #bourkestreet corner #elizabethstreet closed to traffic. pic.twitter.com/etTln2A1kp
Girlfriend phoned from Bourke Street. Saw multiple people struck by car. Police on scene. Keep out of the area. Stay safe @abcnewsMelbGirlfriend phoned from Bourke Street. Saw multiple people struck by car. Police on scene. Keep out of the area. Stay safe @abcnewsMelb
#MELBOURNE: MAJOR INCIDENT ON BOURKE STREET pic.twitter.com/R68h3TmGZD#MELBOURNE: MAJOR INCIDENT ON BOURKE STREET pic.twitter.com/R68h3TmGZD
Just in happening in Melbourne @BenedictBrook @newscomauHQ pic.twitter.com/3jfv9Y5KQ3Just in happening in Melbourne @BenedictBrook @newscomauHQ pic.twitter.com/3jfv9Y5KQ3
BREAKING PICS JUST IN: A police pursuit took place through Bourke Street mall. The mall is now in lockdown. More to come. #9News pic.twitter.com/VN5tF9S03oBREAKING PICS JUST IN: A police pursuit took place through Bourke Street mall. The mall is now in lockdown. More to come. #9News pic.twitter.com/VN5tF9S03o