Police Say Melb Man Who Drove Into Pedestrians Has History Of Mental Illness

flinders st station vehicle incident

Victoria Police have released more details about the men arrested in relation to the incident that took place outside Flinders St Station this afternoon, when a car drove through a red light and struck a number of pedestrians.

A 32-year-old man has been arrested after driving his white SUV into pedestrians. The police say the man resisted arrest and got into a tussle with the off-duty officer who apprehended him.

The 32-year-old man was found in CCTV footage to be driving the car on his own, without other passengers. He’s been taken to hospital for his injuries, and so has the officer who arrested him.

A 24-year-old man who was on the scene filming the arrest was found to have knives in a bag with him, and was also arrested.

The driver, a spokesman told the media, is known to Victoria Police and has a history of assault charges, although he’s not currently on bail. They also say that he has a history of drug use and mental health issues, and is currently receiving treatment for a mental illness. The police are still alleging that the incident was a deliberate act.

We now know that there are 19 people in hospital as a result of the incident, with 15 in a stable condition and four critical.

Victoria Police have said that they have no evidence to suggest that the attack was terror-related.

The Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, has praised the actions of bystanders at the scene who rushed to the aid of those who’d been injured. Police have also attempted to reassure the public, encouraging them to continue to come into the Melbourne CBD for the Christmas events planned in the next few days.

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