Melbourne car crash: Vehicle driven into crowd of pedestrians in Australia in 'deliberate act' by man with history of mental health problems

Driver and a second man are in custody

Nineteen 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 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.

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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 preschool-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.

Police and emergency services attend the scene of the crash on Flinders Street (Reuters)

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. 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.”

The white car surrounded by investigators (ABC)

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. 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.”

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. 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.”