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| Melbourne crash: police call Flinders Street car incident 'a deliberate act' – live updates | Melbourne crash: police call Flinders Street car incident 'a deliberate act' – live updates |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Police just released the following statement: | |
| The investigation into the incident where a number of pedestrians were struck in the Melbourne CBD this afternoon continues. | |
| At 4.41pm a white 4WD struck a number of pedestrians at the intersection of Flinders and Elizabeth Street. | |
| Police arrived within seconds of the incident and arrested two men at the scene. | |
| The driver of the vehicle, a 19-year-old man, was arrested by an off-duty male police officer shortly after followed by general duties police and members from the critical incident response team (CIRT). | |
| The officer sustained shoulder and hand injuries during the arrest and has been conveyed to hospital. | |
| The driver has been taken to hospital under police guard. | |
| The second person arrested, a 24-year-old man, was arrested by CIRT. | |
| It’s now believed he had no links to the incident, however he is still assisting police with enquiries. | |
| Nineteen pedestrians were injured during the incident and conveyed to hospital. | |
| Two people were also treated for non-collision related injuries. | |
| At this time police believe this is a deliberate act, however it is only early in the investigation. | |
| The press conference with police and the Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, is about to start. | |
| Police and the premier about to give an update on the Flinders St incident pic.twitter.com/Eqc7kBYv3W | |
| St Paul’s Cathedral, which towers over Flinders Street about 250m from the crash site, has released a brief statement and photo that prominently features a sign saying “Let’s fully welcome refugees.” | |
| When our city hurts, we hurt. We continue to pray for all affected by the #FlindersStreet attack and for first responders, police and peace. pic.twitter.com/hVWOpYtQav | |
| That sign has been a feature of Melbourne for a number of years. It is, said one observer, “a reminder of the loving nature of Melbourne”. | |
| A reminder of the loving nature of #Melbourne: meters away from the #FlindersStreet attack is St Paul's Cathedral which has a large 'Let's Fully Welcome Refugees' banner at the entrance. pic.twitter.com/FXIoYuhBF1 | |
| People have also praised the actions of bystanders in rushing to help those injured and the general level of concern shown by people in the street even some hours after the attack. | |
| The one thing I can't stop thinking is all the people helping people, all the people that stop me and ask if I was ok. All the people that run to help. There was so much love in that hell. Don't forget that. Don't forget that love is our biggest weapon #FlindersStreet #melbourne | |
| That was also remarked upon following the Bourke Street tragedy 11 months ago. | |
| Melbourne bureau chief Melissa Davey has updated our main story on the incident, wrapping in what we know so far. You can read it here: | |
| Tony Walker is the chief executive of Ambulance Victoria. | 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. | 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: | 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. | 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. |
| The premier, Daniel Andrews, the police minister, Lisa Neville, and the 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. | 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 | 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 | 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.” | 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 | 😞 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. | 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. | 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. | 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/HlHsvPQFL4 | 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/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/E0PKsWtaGh | Statement 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/JkUM9TuIQe | 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/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. |