An 83-year-old Melbourne man has died in hospital as a result of of injuries he sustained in Flinders St vehicle attack. Police confirmed in a statement that Antonios ‘Anton’ Crocaris, of Northcote, passed away at around 11.30 last night.
The family of the deceased released a statement to media, saying that the beloved father and grandfather was “irreplaceable”, and thanking emergency services for their assistance on the day of the attack. The statement read:
Our father Anton had his life cruelly taken away in a senseless act of violence. These circumstances are devastating to our family. Dad is simply irreplaceable and we will never fully recover from this loss.
He was a beloved husband of Elizabeth (dec), adored father of Freda, Tony and Bill, and cherished grandfather of Verity, Lysander and Jackson. Friend to all and proud citizen of Australia.
Our deepest gratitude to the wonderful people of Melbourne and dedicated first responders who rendered him and others every assistance. Special mention to the caring staff of The Alfred Intensive Care Unit. Our dad, our hero.
Saeed Noori, the accused driver in the Flinders St attack, has been charged with 18 counts of attempted murder and one of conduct endangering life, but following the death of Mr Crocaris, police say it is likely a charge of murder will be added.
Noori, a 32-year-old Afghan refugee and Australian citizen, is accused of running down pedestrians outside Flinders St Station on December 21 – police called the attack a “deliberate act”, saying that he intended to kill or cause serious injury when he got behind the wheel of the car.
20 people were taken to hospital after the incident, and it is believed that one of these, a South Korean man aged in his 60s, remains in critical condition. He is understood to be from the same family as a four-year-old boy and another man in his 60s who were also injured.
Noori has been remanded to face court on May 30.
