MELBOURNE: At least 14 people are injured, with several in critical condition, after a car hit pedestrians in Melbourne's central business district on Thursday (Dec 21), according to Victoria Police.
A spokesman for the Victoria Police said in a statement that the incident took place at about 4.45pm Melbourne time (1.45pm, Singapore time) at the intersection of Flinders and Elizabeth Streets.
A witness told the Australian Broadcasting Corp the vehicle was travelling at 80 to 100 kph (50-62 mph).
"There was no breaking or any slowing down at all," said Jim Stoupas, who said he was standing outside his donut shop when the car crashed into the people, one after another.
"All you could hear was just 'bang bang bang bang bang'," he said.
Police arrived at the scene “within minutes” and arrested two men.
The driver of the vehicle, a 32-year-old Australian citizen of Afghan descent, was arrested by an off-duty police officer, Victoria state Police Acting Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said in a press conference.
The driver, who resisted arrest, was known to police on previous assault matters. He has a history of drug abuse and mental health issues, he added. But though police allege that the incident was a "deliberate act", it is currently not determined to be terrorism-related.
"At this time we do not have any evidence or intelligence to indicate a connection with terrorism," Patton told reporters in Melbourne.
The second person arrested, a 24-year-old man, was arrested filming the incident. But police believe he is not connected and the man is assisting police with enquiries.
The Victoria State ambulance service said it had taken 13 people to hospital, including a pre-school child with a serious head injury.
The police said they will continue to have a strong presence in the Melbourne CBD on Thursday night.
"Police and emergency services will remain on scene for the foreseeable future ... the crime scene will remain in place for a considerable period of time and we are urging people who can avoid the area to avoid the area."
'PEOPLE FLYING EVERYWHERE'
A witness, Sue, told 3AW Melbourne that she heard screams and saw "people flying everywhere".
"We could hear this noise, as we looked left, we saw this white car, it just mowed everybody down," she said.
"People are flying everywhere. We heard thump, thump. People are running everywhere."
Another witness, John, told ABC Radio Melbourne that he saw a "SUV coming at high speed".
"(I) really just heard the collision with people with bags and what must be shopping trolleys - and I hope not prams," he said.
"I've really never seen anything like this before and I haven't stopped shaking."
Netizens posted photos of crowds at the scene.
"Massive incident/accident at the corner of Flinders Street and Elizabeth Street. Ambulance and emergency vehicles rushing to site. Hard to establish what happened. All happening quickly," wrote Twitter user Mike Lee.
'HORRIBLE INCIDENT'
Major streets in Australian cities have been packed with Christmas shoppers this week.
The incident took place on Flinders street, a major road that runs alongside the Yarra River, in the central business district of Australia's second-biggest city.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said federal and state police as well as security agencies were working together to secure the scene and investigate the "shocking incident".
"Our thoughts & prayers are with the victims & the emergency & health workers who are treating them," Turnbull said in a post on his official Twitter account.
Victoria's premier, Daniel Andrews, writing on his official Twitter account, called it a "horrible incident".
Melbourne has installed about 140 concrete bollards in the city centre to stop vehicle attacks by militants.
Sydney, Australia's biggest city, has installed concrete barricades in main pedestrian thoroughfares.
Thursday's incident came months after a car mowed down pedestrians in Melbourne's busiest mall in January, killing four people.
The driver, whose case is still being heard in court, had been pursued by police prior to the rampage after he had allegedly stabbed his brother. That incident was not terrorism-related.
News and photo from Channel News Asia
No comments:
Post a Comment