Man sets himself alight on Richmond street over Victoria’s vaccine mandate

A man is fighting for life after setting himself on fire in Richmond while ranting about Victoria’s vaccine mandates.

A man has set himself and his car on fire in Richmond while chanting expletives about Victoria’s vaccine mandates.

Witnesses said police and firefighters doused the man with water as he emerged in flames from his burning vehicle near Church St, Richmond, about 8pm.

About five passers-by rest­rain­­ed the man once the flames were extinguished so he could be escorted into an ambulance.

The man set himself and his car alight on Church St over Victoria's vaccine mandates.

A spokesman from The Alfred hospital said the man was in a critical but stable condition on Sunday morning.

The charred remains of the car on Church St.

One woman who helped hold the man said his skin was burning until he was showered with water.

“His skin was burning. He was on fire,” said the woman, who did not want to be identified. “His skin is stuck to my shirt. He was just off his face screaming about the vaccine mandates.”

Lydia O’Connor was dining at a nearby restaurant when she heard the man yelling.

“He poured gas on himself and on his car. It was on purpose,” Ms O’Connor said.

“He was screaming about mandates,” she said. “He was screaming ‘No vax ID’, and throwing books.”

Leigh Berryman said the man’s piercing screams were confronting.

“I will never erase his wailing in pain from his burns from my ears,” Mr Berryman said.

Patrons inside nearby venues were told to remain inside as police cars blocked the intersection near Church and Swan streets.