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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 – as it happened | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 7.30am GMT | 7.30am GMT |
| 07:30 | 07:30 |
| This is where I’ll end our rolling coverage of a fatal incident in the Melbourne CBD today. | This is where I’ll end our rolling coverage of a fatal incident in the Melbourne CBD today. |
| Below is what we know about the attack. | Below is what we know about the attack. |
| A 26-year-old man drove his car through Bourke Street mall and several intersections, hitting dozens of people. | |
| He was shot by police and arrested at the scene, before being taken to hospital for treatment of a bullet wound, believed to be in his arm and non-life threatening. | He was shot by police and arrested at the scene, before being taken to hospital for treatment of a bullet wound, believed to be in his arm and non-life threatening. |
| Three people were killed, including a man and woman in their 20s and a young child. | Three people were killed, including a man and woman in their 20s and a young child. |
| At least 24 of those injured are in various hospitals around Melbourne, including four children. At least five are in critical condition. | At least 24 of those injured are in various hospitals around Melbourne, including four children. At least five are in critical condition. |
| An infant in a pram was hit by the car and is in a critical condition. | An infant in a pram was hit by the car and is in a critical condition. |
| Police believe it was a deliberate act, coming at the end of a suspended police chase, and have confirmed it had no links to terrorism. | Police believe it was a deliberate act, coming at the end of a suspended police chase, and have confirmed it had no links to terrorism. |
| Witnesses reported the man doing burnouts and doughnuts near Flinders St station, leaning out of his window and yelling at bystanders. | Witnesses reported the man doing burnouts and doughnuts near Flinders St station, leaning out of his window and yelling at bystanders. |
| It’s believed the man was involved in a stabbing at Windsor early this morning. Police allege he and his brother fought at a house, and their mother was also assaulted. | It’s believed the man was involved in a stabbing at Windsor early this morning. Police allege he and his brother fought at a house, and their mother was also assaulted. |
| The man left the scene and was driving a car with a woman beside him, initially believed to be a hostage. She got out of the car at Bolte bridge before he drove into the city. | The man left the scene and was driving a car with a woman beside him, initially believed to be a hostage. She got out of the car at Bolte bridge before he drove into the city. |
| The man is known to police, with an “extensive” background of family violence, and known mental health issues, and drug use. | The man is known to police, with an “extensive” background of family violence, and known mental health issues, and drug use. |
| Victorian premier Daniel Andrews thanked emergency services and bystanders who assisted those injured, and said: “we can be confident that we are stronger than this evil criminal act”. | Victorian premier Daniel Andrews thanked emergency services and bystanders who assisted those injured, and said: “we can be confident that we are stronger than this evil criminal act”. |
| Police urged people to stay out of the city if possible while homicide investigations continued at the scene and roadblocks disrupt traffic. | Police urged people to stay out of the city if possible while homicide investigations continued at the scene and roadblocks disrupt traffic. |
| Updated | |
| at 7.42am GMT | |
| 7.25am GMT | 7.25am GMT |
| 07:25 | 07:25 |
| From opposition leader Bill Shorten: | From opposition leader Bill Shorten: |
| All Australians stand with the people of Melbourne in this horrific moment. | All Australians stand with the people of Melbourne in this horrific moment. |
| We offer our heartfelt condolences to the loved ones of the lost.We pray for the injured and the frightened, in particular the very young children. | We offer our heartfelt condolences to the loved ones of the lost.We pray for the injured and the frightened, in particular the very young children. |
| We pay tribute to the first responders. We give thanks for the bravery of the police, the speed of the paramedics and the skill of those who’ve worked to save the lives of the injured. | We pay tribute to the first responders. We give thanks for the bravery of the police, the speed of the paramedics and the skill of those who’ve worked to save the lives of the injured. |
| We salute those passers-by who rushed to the aid of their neighbours. | We salute those passers-by who rushed to the aid of their neighbours. |
| But we also know that on dark days like this, words are so inadequate. | But we also know that on dark days like this, words are so inadequate. |
| Words can’t capture the horror we feel. Words can’t comfort those who’ve lost someone they love. Words won’t heal people who’ve been hurt or banish the fear. Words can’t put back the lives stolen in a few minutes of madness. | Words can’t capture the horror we feel. Words can’t comfort those who’ve lost someone they love. Words won’t heal people who’ve been hurt or banish the fear. Words can’t put back the lives stolen in a few minutes of madness. |
| It’s difficult for all of us to comprehend how, why and what has happened. Harder still to understand that it happened here, in a country and a city that prides itself on being such a welcoming, safe and peaceful place. | It’s difficult for all of us to comprehend how, why and what has happened. Harder still to understand that it happened here, in a country and a city that prides itself on being such a welcoming, safe and peaceful place. |
| Victoria Police have made it clear this was not an act of terror, it was an act of murder. A cowardly, senseless, destructive crime that has claimed the lives of innocent people. | Victoria Police have made it clear this was not an act of terror, it was an act of murder. A cowardly, senseless, destructive crime that has claimed the lives of innocent people. |
| We wait for answers, we wait for justice and tonight we hold all those in sadness and pain, close to our hearts. | We wait for answers, we wait for justice and tonight we hold all those in sadness and pain, close to our hearts. |
| 7.18am GMT | 7.18am GMT |
| 07:18 | 07:18 |
| Please avoid this area while Victoria Police investigate the Bourke St mall incident. @EMV_news pic.twitter.com/o0YhQHMSoy | Please avoid this area while Victoria Police investigate the Bourke St mall incident. @EMV_news pic.twitter.com/o0YhQHMSoy |
| 7.09am GMT | 7.09am GMT |
| 07:09 | 07:09 |
| From prime minister Malcolm Turnbull: | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | Their love, their selflessness, their courage is the very best of our Australian spirit. |
| 6.51am GMT | 6.51am GMT |
| 06:51 | 06:51 |
| The victims | The victims |
| On the victims, Ashton said: | 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. | 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. | 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 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | Anyone worried about loved ones or wanting to report a missing person should call 1800727077. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.52am GMT | at 6.52am GMT |
| 6.46am GMT | 6.46am GMT |
| 06:46 | 06:46 |
| The driver | The driver |
| Ashton also provided new details about the perpetrator: | 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 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”. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 | Updated |
| at 6.52am GMT | at 6.52am GMT |
| 6.41am GMT | 6.41am GMT |
| 06:41 | 06:41 |
| The arrest | The arrest |
| Ashton detailed the initial incident: | 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. | 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. | 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”. | 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. | 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. | “We’ve got plenty of evidence of this driver killing these people in the city, Ashton said. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.52am GMT | 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 |