A white SUV was driven into Christmas shoppers outside Flinders Street Station in the heart of Melbourne, Australia, Thursday afternoon local time, injuring over a dozen people including a child. The driver and passenger were reportedly arrested at the scene. No details have been reported about the identities of those arrested , however police are now saying it appears to be ‘deliberate’ and have not ruled out terrorism.
Image of police dragging man from 4WD which ploughed into pedestrians in Flinders St. pic.twitter.com/ANBoKjnABR
— Brett Mcleod (@Brett_McLeod) December 21, 2017
The driver of a white car has been arrested after a car hit pedestrians on Flinders Street in Melbourne's CBD. Report on 7 News at 6pm. #7News pic.twitter.com/c4CCvoFEb0
— 7NEWS Adelaide (@7NewsAdelaide) December 21, 2017
Another view of passenger being dragged by police:
Screen image via Twitter.
Local media reports eyewitnesses saying the driver sped through a red light hitting people, gunned the engine and targeted more pedestrians before crashing into a bollard protecting a tram line.
Video shows the moments after the SUV stopped.
Video after Flinders Street attack #Melbourne pic.twitter.com/OVIQM2FXmj
— Have another beer (@7point8billion) December 21, 2017
Video report with details of incident:
A speeding driver has ploughed into Christmas shoppers outside Flinders Street Station. @Kate_Jones7 #7News pic.twitter.com/JLu4XXKGMS
— 7NEWS Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) December 21, 2017
Overhead photo of the scene:
#BREAKING: At least five people have been injured after a car plunged into pedestrians outside Melbourne’s Flinders Street station. MORE: https://t.co/7hWF4Fncpc pic.twitter.com/jHuJofk7no
— news.com.au (@newscomauHQ) December 21, 2017
Overhead video of the scene:
El atropello ha ocurrido en la estación de Flinders en Melbourne (Australia) pic.twitter.com/XQlTPhVcF7
— 6w (@6w_es) December 21, 2017
Photo of the injured being tended to:
BREAKING: At least five people are laying motionless on Flinders St after an incident apparently involving a car at Elizabeth St intersection @theheraldsun. pic.twitter.com/rU1gKMEFZL
— Sophie Smith (@SophieSmith86) December 21, 2017
Photos of alleged driver and passenger:
https://twitter.com/7NewsSydney/status/943749089404915712
https://twitter.com/ChrisLogicMedia/status/943749075542859777
Police update with video of passenger. Police say it appears this was ‘deliberate’.
Melbourne: "We believe this was a deliberate act" – Police. Witnesses say a speeding car deliberately drove at Christmas shoppers on Flinders Street. #7News pic.twitter.com/AIeaGlHdJa
— 7NEWS Brisbane (@7NewsBrisbane) December 21, 2017
Updates to follow.
UPDATE: Australia police are awaiting a psyche evaluation before questioning the suspect, an Australian of Afghani descent with a history if mental issues and a minor criminal background.