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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2017/jan/20/car-pedestrians-melbourne-bourke-street-mall-live
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| Melbourne: young child among three dead after car ploughs into pedestrians in Bourke Street – live | Melbourne: young child among three dead after car ploughs into pedestrians in Bourke Street – live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 7.09am GMT | |
| 07:09 | |
| From prime minister Malcolm Turnbull: | |
| The prayers and heartfelt sympathies of all Australians are with the victims and the families of the victims of this shocking time in Melbourne today. | |
| We thank and acknowledge the heroism, and the professionalism, of the police and emergency workers who rushed to the aid of the victims. | |
| Joined by bystanders who, mindless of their own danger, sought to help those who had been attacked in this shocking crime. | |
| Their love, their selflessness, their courage is the very best of our Australian spirit. | |
| 6.51am GMT | |
| 06:51 | |
| The victims | |
| On the victims, Ashton said: | |
| Three people are dead, including a man and a woman in their thirties, and a young child. The three were all killed at different intersections, police believe, away from the pedestrian mall. | |
| At least 15 others are in hospitals receiving treatment, with five in critical conditions. An earlier post on this blog detailed the current state of four children, including a three-month-old baby currently in surgery. | |
| Ashton said one infant was given emergency treatment at the scene, and then police officers drove the child to hospital in a police car “because we couldn’t wait for the ambulance to arrive, such was the condition of the child,” Ashton said. | |
| Ashton confirmed a child in a pram was hit by the car, and was now in a critical condition. | |
| The coroner is at the scene, and the police homicide squad will be leading the investigation. | |
| Police called for any witnesses to come forward, particularly if they have photographs or video. | |
| Anyone worried about loved ones or wanting to report a missing person should call 1800727077. | |
| Updated | |
| at 6.52am GMT | |
| 6.46am GMT | |
| 06:46 | |
| The driver | |
| Ashton also provided new details about the perpetrator: | |
| He is a 26-year-old man with an extensive family violence history. He has no connection with terrorism or terrorist organisations on any police index. | |
| He has come to the attention of police “on many occasions in the past”. | |
| There are also mental health and drug related issues in the man’s background. | |
| In recent days he was allegedly involved in family violence-related assaults, and had been charged last weekend, Ashton said. | |
| Earlier this morning it’s alleged he and his brother had a fight at a house in Windsor, and his brother later presented to hospital with stab wounds. The men’s mother was also assaulted. | |
| There was a woman in the car with the man when police first sought to intervene, and investigators are still working through if she was a hostage or in the car for another reason, Ashton said. She got out before the car got to the city, and police are now questioning her. | |
| Updated | |
| at 6.52am GMT | |
| 6.41am GMT | |
| 06:41 | |
| The arrest | |
| Ashton detailed the initial incident: | |
| The man, a 26-year-old known to police, was seen about 1.45pm doing burnouts on Swanston St, before entering the mall where he hit pedestrians. | |
| Police suspect it was an intentional act “traveling at speed right through the mall, it has then continued along Bourke St, over the intersection of Elizabeth, and made it’s way to 501, outside the RACV club on Bourke St. At that time police have intercepted the vehicle, as I understand it rammed the vehicle. The offender has been taken into custody,” said Ashton. | |
| During the police intervention the man was shot, reportedly in the arm, and is being treated in hospital for injuries “which we believe are not life threatening at this stage”. | |
| Ashton said police had been pursuing the man in the car earlier, but he was driving erratically and the road chase was suspended for safety reasons but continued from the police air wing. The man then drove into the city and to the mall, and the incident occurred underneath the air wing, which was filming. | |
| “We’ve got plenty of evidence of this driver killing these people in the city, Ashton said. | |
| Updated | |
| at 6.52am GMT | |
| 6.37am GMT | 6.37am GMT |
| 06:37 | 06:37 |
| We’ve just had a comprehensive update from the chief commissioner, Graham Ashton. I’ll summarise the new information over a few posts. | We’ve just had a comprehensive update from the chief commissioner, Graham Ashton. I’ll summarise the new information over a few posts. |
| 6.32am GMT | 6.32am GMT |
| 06:32 | 06:32 |
| The Victorian Premier and police authorities have held a press conference to update the situation.Here are some of the comments from premier Daniel Andrews. | The Victorian Premier and police authorities have held a press conference to update the situation.Here are some of the comments from premier Daniel Andrews. |
| Our emergency services have done us proud, they’ve done a great job in the most difficult of circumstances. | Our emergency services have done us proud, they’ve done a great job in the most difficult of circumstances. |
| They have supported the most vulnerable and apprehended the person involved in this terrible criminal act. | They have supported the most vulnerable and apprehended the person involved in this terrible criminal act. |
| Given there are no links to terror organisations or other criminal activity, he is no longer a threat to the safety of… Victorians. | Given there are no links to terror organisations or other criminal activity, he is no longer a threat to the safety of… Victorians. |
| There are more and more stories of ordinary victorians coming to the aid of their fellow victorians. Reaching out, helping, providing assistance, doing the right thing. That does them great credit and it makes all of us very proud to be members of this great state. | There are more and more stories of ordinary victorians coming to the aid of their fellow victorians. Reaching out, helping, providing assistance, doing the right thing. That does them great credit and it makes all of us very proud to be members of this great state. |
| Our hearts are breaking this afternoon, that a number of people have died, that others remain in a critical condition, very seriously ill, gravely ill in hospitals around our city but we are stronger than this. Through our response of our emergency services, the instinctive way Victorians have reached out to support each other, we can be confident that we are stronger than this evil criminal act. | Our hearts are breaking this afternoon, that a number of people have died, that others remain in a critical condition, very seriously ill, gravely ill in hospitals around our city but we are stronger than this. Through our response of our emergency services, the instinctive way Victorians have reached out to support each other, we can be confident that we are stronger than this evil criminal act. |
| 6.15am GMT | 6.15am GMT |
| 06:15 | 06:15 |
| The Royal Children’s hospital has provided an update on the children they have treated today, as well as a 23-year-old brought in. | The Royal Children’s hospital has provided an update on the children they have treated today, as well as a 23-year-old brought in. |
| A three-month-old is now in an operating theatre. | A three-month-old is now in an operating theatre. |
| A two-year-old has been transferred to the intensive care unit. | A two-year-old has been transferred to the intensive care unit. |
| A nine-year old with limb injuries has been transferred to a ward. | A nine-year old with limb injuries has been transferred to a ward. |
| A 12-year-old is under assessment in the emergency department. | A 12-year-old is under assessment in the emergency department. |
| A 23-year-old has been treated for limb injuries. | A 23-year-old has been treated for limb injuries. |
| No further details would be released until at least after families had been fully informed, Dr Mike O’Brien, head of surgery at RCH, said. | No further details would be released until at least after families had been fully informed, Dr Mike O’Brien, head of surgery at RCH, said. |
| “We have a mixture of injuries from orthopedic to neurosurgical and some possible abdominal injuries.” | “We have a mixture of injuries from orthopedic to neurosurgical and some possible abdominal injuries.” |
| “None of the children have deceased but it’s far to say they are in a critical condition,” the doctor said of those brought to RCH. He said the hospital had not needed to activate code brown, and managed with current resources. | “None of the children have deceased but it’s far to say they are in a critical condition,” the doctor said of those brought to RCH. He said the hospital had not needed to activate code brown, and managed with current resources. |
| “The staff are doing what they do, they’re professionals and they’re getting on with it.” | “The staff are doing what they do, they’re professionals and they’re getting on with it.” |
| Police have separately confirmed that a young child died, it’s believed at the scene. | Police have separately confirmed that a young child died, it’s believed at the scene. |
| Media conference: Bourke Street incident https://t.co/2mw5rlHUTa | Media conference: Bourke Street incident https://t.co/2mw5rlHUTa |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.35am GMT | at 6.35am GMT |
| 6.01am GMT | 6.01am GMT |
| 06:01 | 06:01 |
| The mayor of Melbourne, Robert Doyle, and Victoria’s opposition leader, Matthew Guy, have both released statements. | The mayor of Melbourne, Robert Doyle, and Victoria’s 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. | 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: | Matthew Guy: |
| I, like everyone, am distressed and shocked by the tragedy in Melbourne today. | 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. | 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. | We thank all emergency services who responded at the scene and those at Melbourne hospitals who are caring for the injured. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.12am GMT | at 6.12am GMT |
| 5.46am GMT | 5.46am GMT |
| 05:46 | 05:46 |
| Police confirm shooting | 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. | 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. | It has also confirmed that officers opened fire on the car’s driver. |
| Below is the statement in full. | 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. | 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. | 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. | He was taken into custody where he is being treated for non-life threatening injuries. |
| The incident is not terrorism related. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 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. | 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. | The Homicide Squad will be investigating with the assistance of the Major Collision Investigation Unit. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.54am GMT | at 5.54am GMT |
| 5.36am GMT | 5.36am GMT |
| 05:36 | 05:36 |
| Young child among those killed | 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. | Victoria police have confirmed that a young child is one of the three victims killed today. They would not provide any further details. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.51am GMT | at 5.51am GMT |
| 5.24am GMT | 5.24am GMT |
| 05:24 | 05:24 |
| 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/rZrd4NpPAT | St Vincent's currently caring for 6 patients from #bourkestreet incident.We are not expecting any further patients. pic.twitter.com/rZrd4NpPAT |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.25am GMT | at 5.25am GMT |
| 5.20am GMT | 5.20am GMT |
| 05:20 | 05:20 |
| 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/L9G87rKScz | Crime tape and cop cars, but it's #businessasusual I feel sick #bourkest pic.twitter.com/L9G87rKScz |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.23am GMT | at 5.23am GMT |
| 5.16am GMT | 5.16am GMT |
| 05:16 | 05:16 |
| 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.’” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.22am GMT | at 5.22am GMT |
| 5.11am GMT | 5.11am GMT |
| 05:11 | 05:11 |
| A few pictures from the scene at Bourke Street. | A few pictures from the scene at Bourke Street. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.24am GMT | at 5.24am GMT |
| 4.57am GMT | 4.57am GMT |
| 04:57 | 04:57 |
| 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. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.00am GMT | at 5.00am GMT |
| 4.47am GMT | 4.47am GMT |
| 04:47 | 04:47 |
| 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 condition | Of the patients we have received from the Bourke St incident, one is critical and three are in a serious condition |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.23am GMT | at 5.23am GMT |
| 4.45am GMT | 4.45am GMT |
| 04:45 | 04:45 |
| 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/Ziqv2Y2uds | 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 |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.22am GMT | at 5.22am GMT |