Several Still Fighting For Life After Flinders Street Attack

19 injured


Article heading image for Several Still Fighting For Life After Flinders Street Attack

Pic: Twitter

Just three sleeps out from Christmas Day, four people are clinging to life in Melbourne hospitals, after being mowed down by an SUV on busy Flinders Street yesterday. 

Victoria Police say the act was deliberate, but not an act of terror.

The Premier, Daniel Andrews, has described it as an absolute tragedy. 

“This was an attack on innocent bystanders — people finishing their Christmas shopping, heading home from work, unwinding for the year."

“They did not deserve this. Our city did not deserve this.”

Acting Commissioner Shane Patton has confirmed pedestrians aged 4 to 83 have needed hospital treatment. The four year old child is NOT among the most seriously injured. 

An off duty police officer who wrestled the driver out of the white Suzuki and onto the ground, is among the hurt, after he copped a shoulder and hand injury as he pulled the driver out of the white Suzuki before critical incident response officers arrived on scene. 

The driver has been confirmed as a 32 year old Afghan Aussie. He, too, remains in hospital, under police guard. 

A second man dressed in a flannelette shirt and blue jeans, who was seen filming the attack on his mobile phone and had knives in his bag was arrested at the scene, but was not believed to be related to the driver or the incident.

A major investigation from specialist arms of Victoria Police is underway. 

 

Claire Sherwood

21 December 2017

Article by:

Claire Sherwood




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