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Melbourne car crash: Vehicle driven into crowd of pedestrians in Australia in 'deliberate act' by man with history of mental health problems | |
(about 2 hours 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's central business district (CBD) happened at about 4.45pm 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 there was no evidence to suggest terrorism as a motive. | |
Police said the 32-year-old driver was an Australian of Afghan descent who had a history of drug use and mental health problems. The second man, 24, was arrested nearby and found to be carrying a bag of knives while filming the crash, officers said. | |
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 tram shelter. 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 and emergency services remain on the scene and will do for the foreseeable future. | Victoria Police said: “Police and emergency services remain on the scene and will do for the foreseeable future. |
“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 crime scene is active and will remain in place for some time. We urge people who can avoid the area, to avoid the area. |
“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. | “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. |
“Victoria Police will also continue to provide a strong police presence in the Melbourne CBD tonight.” | “Victoria Police will also continue to provide a strong police presence in the Melbourne CBD tonight.” |
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. The crash happened in the first week of school summer holidays. | 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. | 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. | “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.” | “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.” | 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.” |