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Melbourne car crash: Vehicle drives into crowd of pedestrians in Australia in 'deliberate act' Melbourne car crash: Vehicle driven into crowd of pedestrians in Australia in 'deliberate act'
(35 minutes later)
Fourteen people have been injured, some critically, after a car was deliberately driven into pedestrians outside a major train station in Australia.Fourteen people have been injured, some critically, after a car was deliberately driven into pedestrians outside a major train station in Australia.
The crash outside Flinders Street station in Melbourne occurred shortly after 4.30pm local time on Thursday.  The crash outside Flinders Street station in Melbourne's central business district (CBD) happened at about 4.45pm local time on Thursday. 
The driver and a second man have been arrested, police said. Officers called it a “deliberate act” but said it was too early to ascribe a motive.The driver and a second man have been arrested, police said. Officers called it a “deliberate act” but said it was too early to ascribe a motive.
Australian media reported that a pre-school-aged child was among the injured.Australian media reported that a pre-school-aged child was among the injured.
Images showed a white Suzuki SUV that appeared to have collided with a phone box. Its front was significantly damaged, however, with the bumper crushed back behind the line of the wheels. Images showed a white Suzuki SUV that appeared to have collided with a tram shelter. Its front was significantly damaged, however, with the bumper crushed back behind the line of the wheels.
Victoria Police said: “Police have saturated the CBD area following an incident where a car has collided with a number of pedestrians on Flinders Street. Victoria Police said: “Police and emergency services remain on the scene and will do for the foreseeable future.
“The incident occurred when the vehicle struck a number of pedestrians in front of Flinders Street Station just after 4.30pm. “The crime scene is active and will remain in place for some time. We urge people who can avoid the area, to avoid the area.
“The driver of the vehicle and a second man have been arrested and are in police custody. “People may have items or vehicles within the crime scene area, however they will not be able to access these until the area is reopened.
“A number of people were treated at the scene for a range of injuries and have been transported to hospital. “Victoria Police will also continue to provide a strong police presence in the Melbourne CBD tonight.”
“A crime scene has been established and all vehicular and pedestrian traffic are advised to avoid the area.”
A witness told ABC: “I was crossing Flinders Street on the way to the train station. I heard an engine rev behind me and I heard a thump.A witness told ABC: “I was crossing Flinders Street on the way to the train station. I heard an engine rev behind me and I heard a thump.
“I turned around and saw the white SUV streaming through the intersection and just seeing people literally getting thrown into the air as it hit them.“I turned around and saw the white SUV streaming through the intersection and just seeing people literally getting thrown into the air as it hit them.
“Then it went through the intersection within a second or two and then went ploughing straight into the tram stop where it came to a dead halt.”“Then it went through the intersection within a second or two and then went ploughing straight into the tram stop where it came to a dead halt.”
“We believe based on what we have seen that it is a deliberate act,” Victoria Police commander Russell Barrett told media in Melbourne. “The motivations are unknown.”“We believe based on what we have seen that it is a deliberate act,” Victoria Police commander Russell Barrett told media in Melbourne. “The motivations are unknown.”
Flinders Street is a major road that runs alongside the Yarra River. Flinders Street is a major road that runs alongside the Yarra River. The crash happened in the first week of school summer holidays.
Another witness, Lachlan Read, told the Herald Sun the whole attack lasted about 15 seconds.
“It was bang, bang, bang. It was just one after the other.
“The last bang the car stopped,” the 20-year-old said. “There were bodies on the ground and people running up to them – it was mayhem.”
In January, four people were killed and more than 20 injured when a man deliberately drove into pedestrians at a spot just a few hundred metres away from today’s incident.In January, four people were killed and more than 20 injured when a man deliberately drove into pedestrians at a spot just a few hundred metres away from today’s incident.
Police said the earlier attack was not terrorism-related.Police said the earlier attack was not terrorism-related.
Australia’s prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, tweeted: “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.”