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Melbourne crash: police call Flinders Street car incident 'a deliberate act' – live Melbourne crash: police call Flinders Street car incident 'a deliberate act' – live updates
(35 minutes later)
Tony Walker is the chief executive of Ambulance Victoria.
Thank you to our @AmbulanceVic staff, emergency services colleagues and community members who responded to the incident in the CBD today. My thoughts are with the victims, their families and friends.
Melbourne MP Adam Bandt has made another short statement:
Everyone in Melbourne would have crossed that intersection at one time or another. As we think about everyone hurt and in hospital, their families and their loved ones, let’s not close up with fear but open up with love.
Premier Daniel Andrews, police minister Lisa Neville and acting Victoria Police commissioner Shane Patton will hold a joint press conference at 9.30pm.
Andrews government ministers have praised the work of emergency services this afternoon.
Our emergency services are always there when we need them most. To @VictoriaPolice @AmbulanceVic & @MFB_NEWS thank you 🙏 And to those that were directly affected or innocent bystanders, know that we are all thinking of you #SpringSt https://t.co/uvy8R0HUqR
My heart breaks for my beautiful city and its people. Thank you to our dedicated, fast acting emergency responders especially @VictoriaPolice & @AmbulanceVic #springst
Federal MP for Melbourne, Adam Bandt, said he was “thinking of everyone in the city right now.”
😞 terrible news emerging from central Melb. Devastating. We’re all thinking of everyone in the city right now. Thank you, first responders. https://t.co/edR6pKbSlg
We still haven’t heard any update on the 14 people injured in the incident.
Ambulance Victoria said it carried 13 people to hospital, including three to the Alfred hospital and three to Royal Melbourne hospital, Melbourne’s leading trauma hospitals.
Police said a number of those taken to hospital are critically injured. Among them is a preschool-aged child, who is reported to have suffered head injuries.
The incident comes one day after Victorian premier Daniel Andrews announced plans for a public memorial of the Bourke Street tragedy, which occurred on 20 January, 2017.The incident comes one day after Victorian premier Daniel Andrews announced plans for a public memorial of the Bourke Street tragedy, which occurred on 20 January, 2017.
Six people were killed and 27 injured when a car ran into pedestrians in Melbourne’s Bourke Street mall, which is three blocks up from the intersection on Flinders Street, where the incident occurred this afternoon.Six people were killed and 27 injured when a car ran into pedestrians in Melbourne’s Bourke Street mall, which is three blocks up from the intersection on Flinders Street, where the incident occurred this afternoon.
Melbourne man Dimitrious Gargasoulas, 27, has pleaded not guilty to six counts of murder.Melbourne man Dimitrious Gargasoulas, 27, has pleaded not guilty to six counts of murder.
There is no suggestion of a connection between the two incidents. As previously reported, police have said it is too early in their investigations to comment on the motivations of the driver in this afternoon’s incident.There is no suggestion of a connection between the two incidents. As previously reported, police have said it is too early in their investigations to comment on the motivations of the driver in this afternoon’s incident.
Christmas event cancelled:Christmas event cancelled:
Following the distressing event that occurred on Flinders Street, we’ve cancelled tonight’s Christmas Projections across all sites in the city and Docklands. Our thoughts go out to everyone who was impacted.Following the distressing event that occurred on Flinders Street, we’ve cancelled tonight’s Christmas Projections across all sites in the city and Docklands. Our thoughts go out to everyone who was impacted.
This is the scene looking back along Flinders Street to Swanston Street. The white SUV that went through the intersection came to rest when it hit the concrete barrier of the tram stop.This is the scene looking back along Flinders Street to Swanston Street. The white SUV that went through the intersection came to rest when it hit the concrete barrier of the tram stop.
Police have made a number of requests for any videos or photos that people may have of the incident. They can be submitted here, the link is also in the below tweet.Police have made a number of requests for any videos or photos that people may have of the incident. They can be submitted here, the link is also in the below tweet.
If members of the public have video footage or images, which may assist police with their investigation regarding the Flinders Street incident that took place this afternoon, they are encouraged to upload them here: https://t.co/oFfWkid509 pic.twitter.com/HlHsvPQFL4If members of the public have video footage or images, which may assist police with their investigation regarding the Flinders Street incident that took place this afternoon, they are encouraged to upload them here: https://t.co/oFfWkid509 pic.twitter.com/HlHsvPQFL4
The City of Melbourne has rereleased that statement, which was posted then deleted by deputy mayor Arron Wood earlier.The City of Melbourne has rereleased that statement, which was posted then deleted by deputy mayor Arron Wood earlier.
Statement from the City of Melbourne pic.twitter.com/E0PKsWtaGhStatement from the City of Melbourne pic.twitter.com/E0PKsWtaGh
New Zealand’s prime minister Jacinda Ardern has also offered her support.New Zealand’s prime minister Jacinda Ardern has also offered her support.
My thoughts are with Australia and the people of Melbourne- such a shocking incident this afternoon. Thinking of all the victims and their families.My thoughts are with Australia and the people of Melbourne- such a shocking incident this afternoon. Thinking of all the victims and their families.
Prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has issued a brief statement on twitter about the incident.Prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has issued a brief statement on twitter about the incident.
As our federal & state police & security agencies work together to secure the scene and investigate this shocking incident our thoughts & prayers are with the victims & the emergency & health workers who are treating them. https://t.co/JkUM9TuIQeAs our federal & state police & security agencies work together to secure the scene and investigate this shocking incident our thoughts & prayers are with the victims & the emergency & health workers who are treating them. https://t.co/JkUM9TuIQe
The Herald Sun’s Rob Harris reported earlier that the incident had not yet been elevated to the National Security Committee because the motives of the driver remained unclear.The Herald Sun’s Rob Harris reported earlier that the incident had not yet been elevated to the National Security Committee because the motives of the driver remained unclear.
Melbourne incident remains a state investigation. PM has been updated on events but situation has not yet to be elevated to National Security Committee. Source say motives remain unclear.Melbourne incident remains a state investigation. PM has been updated on events but situation has not yet to be elevated to National Security Committee. Source say motives remain unclear.
Police have been progressively pushing back their cordon to allow investigators clear access to the scene.Police have been progressively pushing back their cordon to allow investigators clear access to the scene.
Traffic along Flinders Street has been blocked from Queens Bridge, on Market Street, to Swanston Street. The police cordon has been pushed back several hundred metres from the Elizabeth Street intersection, to Queen Street in the east and Swanston Street in the west.Traffic along Flinders Street has been blocked from Queens Bridge, on Market Street, to Swanston Street. The police cordon has been pushed back several hundred metres from the Elizabeth Street intersection, to Queen Street in the east and Swanston Street in the west.
This was the scene on Flinders Street shortly after the incident.This was the scene on Flinders Street shortly after the incident.
Police are yet to give a clear indication of the motivation for the crash, but we are starting to get a clear indication of how it occurred.Police are yet to give a clear indication of the motivation for the crash, but we are starting to get a clear indication of how it occurred.
The white SUV ran through the intersection on Flinders and Elizabeth Streets in Melbourne around 4.45pm.The white SUV ran through the intersection on Flinders and Elizabeth Streets in Melbourne around 4.45pm.
According to various eyewitness reports, it reached pedestrians about six or seven seconds after pedestrians were given the green light to cross the road.According to various eyewitness reports, it reached pedestrians about six or seven seconds after pedestrians were given the green light to cross the road.
It came from the Swanston Street end of Flinders Street and hit a number of pedestrians before striking the concrete barrier of the tram stop on Flinders Street just past the Elizabeth Street intersection.It came from the Swanston Street end of Flinders Street and hit a number of pedestrians before striking the concrete barrier of the tram stop on Flinders Street just past the Elizabeth Street intersection.
That intersection is one of the busiest in Melbourne and is multi-directional, meaning that when the pedestrian lights go, people cross on the diagonal and swarm the road. Witnesses say between 40 and 60 people where in the interaction when the SUV went through.That intersection is one of the busiest in Melbourne and is multi-directional, meaning that when the pedestrian lights go, people cross on the diagonal and swarm the road. Witnesses say between 40 and 60 people where in the interaction when the SUV went through.
One witness told the ABC that a number of bystanders responded quickly to assist those who had been injured, and one immediately approached the driver’s side of the car. The suggestion is they attempted to detain them.One witness told the ABC that a number of bystanders responded quickly to assist those who had been injured, and one immediately approached the driver’s side of the car. The suggestion is they attempted to detain them.
Police arrived within minutes.Police arrived within minutes.
The male driver was arrested very quickly by police, and a second man, who was also alleged to have been in the car, has also been arrested.The male driver was arrested very quickly by police, and a second man, who was also alleged to have been in the car, has also been arrested.
Fourteen people have been injured and taken to various hospitals around the city. Police have said a number of those injuries are critical. One of those injured is a young child, who it has been reported had head injuries.Fourteen people have been injured and taken to various hospitals around the city. Police have said a number of those injuries are critical. One of those injured is a young child, who it has been reported had head injuries.
Police say have said the crash was a “deliberate act” but it is too early to know what motivated it.Police say have said the crash was a “deliberate act” but it is too early to know what motivated it.