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Melbourne: three dead, 20 injured as car ploughs into pedestrians in Bourke Street mall – live Melbourne: young child among three dead after car ploughs into pedestrians in Bourke Street – live
(35 minutes later)
6.01am GMT
06:01
The mayor of Melbourne, Robert Doyle, and the opposition leader, Matthew Guy, have both released statements.
Many families have been devastated today in a vicious and deliberate act of violence. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families.
Matthew Guy:
I, like everyone, am distressed and shocked by the tragedy in Melbourne today.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the deceased and injured and all their loved ones.
We thank all emergency services who responded at the scene and those at Melbourne hospitals who are caring for the injured.
5.46am GMT
05:46
Police confirm shooting
Victoria police has released more details about a series of incidents today which it believes are related to the Bourke Street incident, including an attempted kidnapping.
It has also confirmed that officers opened fire on the car’s driver.
Below is the statement in full.
It is believed police were in pursuit of a vehicle in the CBD when the vehicle deliberately struck a number of pedestrians in the vicinity of Bourke and Queens Streets at approximately 1.30pm.
Police shot the man who was the sole occupant of the vehicle and he received bullet wounds.
He was taken into custody where he is being treated for non-life threatening injuries.
The incident is not terrorism related.
Police understand the incident is linked to a stabbing that took place in Windsor early this morning (20 January) involving parties known to one another.
Following this incident, it is alleged the same man took a woman, who is known to him, hostage in his car. She managed to escape from the car on the Bolte Bridge earlier today.
Three people have been confirmed deceased with more than 20 people injured.
The deceased are yet to be formally identified however police can confirm one of the deceased is a young child.
Police and emergency services remain on the scene and request that people avoid the area.
Police have blocked the Bourke Street between William Street and Swanston Streets including the Bourke Street Mall.
The Homicide Squad will be investigating with the assistance of the Major Collision Investigation Unit.
Updated
at 5.54am GMT
5.36am GMT
05:36
Young child among those killed
Victoria police have confirmed that a young child is one of the three victims killed today. They would not provide any further details.
Updated
at 5.51am GMT
5.24am GMT5.24am GMT
05:2405:24
St Vincent’s hospital is also treating six patients.St Vincent’s hospital is also treating six patients.
St Vincent's currently caring for 6 patients from #bourkestreet incident.We are not expecting any further patients. pic.twitter.com/rZrd4NpPATSt Vincent's currently caring for 6 patients from #bourkestreet incident.We are not expecting any further patients. pic.twitter.com/rZrd4NpPAT
UpdatedUpdated
at 5.25am GMTat 5.25am GMT
5.20am GMT5.20am GMT
05:2005:20
Despite police urging people to stay away from the city, Myer’s nearby store quickly reopened. The store has closed its Bourke Street entrance but others are open and staff have returned to work.Despite police urging people to stay away from the city, Myer’s nearby store quickly reopened. The store has closed its Bourke Street entrance but others are open and staff have returned to work.
Crime tape and cop cars, but it's #businessasusual I feel sick #bourkest pic.twitter.com/L9G87rKSczCrime tape and cop cars, but it's #businessasusual I feel sick #bourkest pic.twitter.com/L9G87rKScz
UpdatedUpdated
at 5.23am GMTat 5.23am GMT
5.16am GMT5.16am GMT
05:1605:16
I posted earlier that the former police commissioner Christine Nixon had witnessed part of the incident and spoken to Melbourne radio about it.I posted earlier that the former police commissioner Christine Nixon had witnessed part of the incident and spoken to Melbourne radio about it.
Here is some more of her account, including on the multiple unconfirmed reports that shots were fired:Here is some more of her account, including on the multiple unconfirmed reports that shots were fired:
I was on the corner of Bourke and Williams and was taking to someone on my phone, crossed the road, people were calling out … I turned around and saw the car. He was probably about a metre from me. I stepped back, and he went by and continued on Bourke Street being chased by police officers.I was on the corner of Bourke and Williams and was taking to someone on my phone, crossed the road, people were calling out … I turned around and saw the car. He was probably about a metre from me. I stepped back, and he went by and continued on Bourke Street being chased by police officers.
Nixon said she had heard two shots, which she understood were fired by Victoria police officers.Nixon said she had heard two shots, which she understood were fired by Victoria police officers.
There were a number of people on the ground and many bystanders ran to help those people. I went to help the woman who owned the pram … She kept asking me: ‘Where’s the baby? I don’t know.’”There were a number of people on the ground and many bystanders ran to help those people. I went to help the woman who owned the pram … She kept asking me: ‘Where’s the baby? I don’t know.’”
UpdatedUpdated
at 5.22am GMTat 5.22am GMT
5.11am GMT5.11am GMT
05:1105:11
A few pictures from the scene at Bourke Street.A few pictures from the scene at Bourke Street.
UpdatedUpdated
at 5.24am GMTat 5.24am GMT
4.57am GMT4.57am GMT
04:5704:57
This is what we know about the victims:This is what we know about the victims:
Three people have been killed.Three people have been killed.
Four children are being treated at the Royal Children’s hospital. One is critical and two are in a serious condition.Four children are being treated at the Royal Children’s hospital. One is critical and two are in a serious condition.
Five patients were admitted to the Alfred, with three in a critical but stable condition and two in a serious condition.Five patients were admitted to the Alfred, with three in a critical but stable condition and two in a serious condition.
Ten people are being treated at the Royal Melbourne hospital, which is not releasing the condition of patients yet.Ten people are being treated at the Royal Melbourne hospital, which is not releasing the condition of patients yet.
Melbourne hospitals are reportedly in code brown, which notes an external emergency with multiple casualties that overwhelm available resources.Melbourne hospitals are reportedly in code brown, which notes an external emergency with multiple casualties that overwhelm available resources.
UpdatedUpdated
at 5.00am GMTat 5.00am GMT
4.47am GMT4.47am GMT
04:4704:47
The Royal Children’s hospital has provided an update on the four children it is treating. One is in a critical condition while the other three are serious.The Royal Children’s hospital has provided an update on the four children it is treating. 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 conditionOf the patients we have received from the Bourke St incident, one is critical and three are in a serious condition
UpdatedUpdated
at 5.23am GMTat 5.23am GMT
4.45am GMT4.45am GMT
04:4504:45
Multiple witnesses reported the driver leaning out of the car window and yelling at bystanders before he drove into Bourke Street mall.Multiple witnesses reported the driver leaning out of the car window and yelling at bystanders before he drove into Bourke Street 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/Ziqv2Y2udsFirst 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
UpdatedUpdated
at 5.22am GMTat 5.22am GMT
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 GMT
04:13
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 GMT
04:07
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.
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.
John 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.”
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.”
Updated
at 4.14am GMT
4.02am GMT
04:02
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.
@theage upturned pram on Cnr William and Bourke pic.twitter.com/C6S3Tzn92K
Updated
at 4.04am GMT
3.43am GMT
03:43
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 from Melbourne of car driving erratically outside Flinders St Station before police shooting. Up to 20 injured. Vision @SkyNewsAust pic.twitter.com/PHBoUMfydX
Updated
at 3.51am GMT
3.34am GMT
03:34
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.
3.30am GMT
03:30
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.
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/k8o3c4LQjx
Updated
at 3.51am GMT