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Bourke Street: three dead, 20 injured as car ploughs into pedestrians in Melbourne – live Bourke Street: three dead, 20 injured as car ploughs into pedestrians in Melbourne – live
(35 minutes later)
4.47am GMT
04:47
The Royal Children’s Hospital has provided an update on the four children it is currently treating. The four were injured in the incident, and one is in a critical condition while the other three are serious.
Of the patients we have received from the Bourke St incident, one is critical and three are in a serious condition
4.45am GMT
04:45
Multiple witnesses reported the driver leaning out of the car window and yelling at bystanders before he drove into Bourke St Mall.
First clear photos of the driver of the maroon sedan believed to have struck and killed three in Melbourne. Picture: Tony Gough pic.twitter.com/Ziqv2Y2uds
4.38am GMT
04:38
Here is the police media conference in full.
Updated
at 4.45am GMT
4.35am GMT
04:35
Calla Wahlquist reports:
The man who presented to hospital with stab wounds this morning remains in a critical condition.
The men in the stabbing incident were believed to have known each other. Police have not released any further information about the possible link to the Bourke Street incident.
Updated
at 4.39am GMT
4.33am GMT
04:33
The stabbing police believe was connected to today’s incident occurred in Windsor early this morning.
A man in his 20s was left in a critical condition after the stabbing at a house on Raleigh street, the Age reported. Police were called to reports of two men fighting but when they arrived both men had left the scene. A man later presented to hospital with stab wounds.
Updated
at 4.39am GMT
4.22am GMT
04:22
Death toll rises to three
Victoria police have just held a press conference revealing that the death toll from the incident has risen to three, in what police believe was a deliberate act, but not linked to terrorism.
“A male deliberately drove into pedestrians in the Bourke Street mall,” said Acting Commander Stuart Bateson. “We currently have three deceased and 20 injuries … We believe it is connected to an earlier stabbing in the southern metro region.”
Bateson said the driver was believed to have driven in circles outside Flinders Street station before driving through the mall and deliberately hitting pedestrians, before crossing to Elizabeth Street and hitting more people.
“This is not a [counter-terrorism]-related incident,” he said.
“We ask the public to avoid the city. It’s going to take us a really long time to process this scene. Our priority is with the injured.”
Bateson urged witnesses who left the scene to get in touch with police.
Police were not looking for anyone else and there was no further threat to the public, he said.
They would provide further updates at 5pm.
Updated
at 4.27am GMT
4.13am GMT4.13am GMT
04:1304:13
The Royal Children’s Hospital has confirmed it is treating four children injured in the incident. The patients are currently being assessed, and the hospital will provide more information when it comes to hand. The Royal Children’s hospital has confirmed it is treating four injured children. The patients are now being assessed, and the hospital will provide more information when it comes to hand.
Updated
at 4.27am GMT
4.07am GMT4.07am GMT
04:0704:07
Calla Wahlquist is on the ground near Bourke and Swanston streets.Calla Wahlquist is on the ground near Bourke and Swanston streets.
She said police were moving back containment lines and asking all people who did not witness the incident to leave the scene.She said police were moving back containment lines and asking all people who did not witness the incident to leave the scene.
Calla has been speaking to witnesses, who are talking to police.Calla has been speaking to witnesses, who are talking to police.
“According to a man I’ve just spoken to, John Astasio, the car came in from Swanston Street down Bourke Street, and appeared to try and brake at one point, its tyres were spinning and it was smoking.“According to a man I’ve just spoken to, John Astasio, the car came in from Swanston Street down Bourke Street, and appeared to try and brake at one point, its tyres were spinning and it was smoking.
John Anstasio sells the Big Issue on Bourke St. He saw the car speed past, followed by police. pic.twitter.com/fXHgiYCtEeJohn Anstasio sells the Big Issue on Bourke St. He saw the car speed past, followed by police. pic.twitter.com/fXHgiYCtEe
“Another man was further down the road on the 96 tram. Out the window they saw the car go up on to the footpath and collect some people. He got out of the tram and followed it up and he could see pools of blood on the side of the road.”“Another man was further down the road on the 96 tram. Out the window they saw the car go up on to the footpath and collect some people. He got out of the tram and followed it up and he could see pools of blood on the side of the road.”
A number of people took shelter in shops, with some apparently locked in while the incident was under way.A number of people took shelter in shops, with some apparently locked in while the incident was under way.
“They have been releasing batches of people who have been stuck in different shops on Bourke Street. I just saw a woman come out holding the hand of a young kid, about five. They didn’t appear injured.”“They have been releasing batches of people who have been stuck in different shops on Bourke Street. I just saw a woman come out holding the hand of a young kid, about five. They didn’t appear injured.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.14am GMTat 4.14am GMT
4.02am GMT4.02am GMT
04:0204:02
There have been unconfirmed reports that a small child is among those injured.There have been unconfirmed reports that a small child is among those injured.
The former police commissioner Christine Nixon has just told Melbourne radio she assisted a woman whose pram was hit. She said she believed the child and mother had been knocked down, and the pram dragged by the car.The former police commissioner Christine Nixon has just told Melbourne radio she assisted a woman whose pram was hit. She said she believed the child and mother had been knocked down, and the pram dragged by the car.
@theage upturned pram on Cnr William and Bourke pic.twitter.com/C6S3Tzn92K@theage upturned pram on Cnr William and Bourke pic.twitter.com/C6S3Tzn92K
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.04am GMTat 4.04am GMT
3.43am GMT3.43am GMT
03:4303:43
Footage has shown a maroon sedan driving erratically in circles outside Flinders Street station. A number of witnesses reported that the car was doing doughnuts before it hit people.Footage has shown a maroon sedan driving erratically in circles outside Flinders Street station. A number of witnesses reported that the car was doing doughnuts before it hit people.
Footage from Melbourne of car driving erratically outside Flinders St Station before police shooting. Up to 20 injured. Vision @SkyNewsAust pic.twitter.com/PHBoUMfydXFootage from Melbourne of car driving erratically outside Flinders St Station before police shooting. Up to 20 injured. Vision @SkyNewsAust pic.twitter.com/PHBoUMfydX
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.51am GMTat 3.51am GMT
3.34am GMT3.34am GMT
03:3403:34
Here is the latest police statement in full:Here is the latest police statement in full:
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.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.
3.30am GMT3.30am GMT
03:3003:30
One person has died and 20 people are injured after a car hit multiple people after driving into Bourke street mall in Melbourne about 2pm. Police confirmed that one person had died at the scene and one person had been arrested while ambulance officers said they were treating 20 people for injuries.One person has died and 20 people are injured after a car hit multiple people after driving into Bourke street mall in Melbourne about 2pm. Police confirmed that one person had died at the scene and one person had been arrested while ambulance officers said they were treating 20 people for injuries.
Here is the Guardian’s initial news report. Reporter Calla Wahlquist is at the scene and speaking to witnesses:Here is the Guardian’s initial news report. Reporter Calla Wahlquist is at the scene and speaking to witnesses:
Hank Kerr was on the 96 tram when he saw a car hitting pedestrians in Bourke St. pic.twitter.com/k8o3c4LQjxHank Kerr was on the 96 tram when he saw a car hitting pedestrians in Bourke St. pic.twitter.com/k8o3c4LQjx
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.51am GMTat 3.51am GMT