Bourke Street ‘driver’ pictured after one killed, five injured

The man arrested after a fatal crash in Melbourne that killed one and injured five has been pictured.

One person has been confirmed dead and five people were injured on Friday night after a car mowed into a tram stop.

A 26-year-old man, from Melton West, was arrested at the scene and is undergoing mental health assessments.

Police said a white Toyota sedan hit three pedestrians at a tram stop on Bourke Street before colliding with two other vehicles about 6:20pm.

The driver of a Hyundai was killed, while two people in an Uber, a driver and passenger, have been taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Superintendent Zorka Dunstan said there was no terrorism link “at this stage”.

“He’s undergoing a mental health assessment,” Superintendent Dunstan said.

“I can assure the community that there is no ongoing threat and the area will remain closed as the investigation continues.

“At this early stage there is nothing to suggest any terror links.

“If anyone in the area has dashcam [footage] or there are witnesses that can assist us, if they could please contact Crime Stoppers.

“The good thing is that we had a quick arrest.”

Superintendent Dunstan said the man was known to police for “mental health interactions”.

Footage of the driver sitting on top of his car before his arrest has emerged.

One witness said she saw several people spit on the man, who had long hair and was dressed in white, before he was dramatically dragged away by officers.

“People were angry on him, spitting on him,” she told the Herald Sun.

Footage has emerged of the alleged driver arrested after a fatal crash in Melbourne.

The woman, who declined to be named, said the man seemed “quite calm”.

Shocking footage of the incident shows people laying on the tram tracks while other pedestrians rushed to their aid.

A woman can be heard sobbing in the background.

One vehicle with extensive damage came to a stop in front of a McDonald’s.

A driver has been arrested and police say there is no ongoing threat to the public. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Police closed off Russell Street to traffic, in between Bourke Street and Little Collins Street.

A witness at the scene posted several photos of the carnage to social media.

“This is damn scary! It was a ‘BOOM!’ then this happened in the very centre of Melbourne CBD!” they said.

“The incident at Bourke and Russell St happened around 6.20pm. My wife called triple-0 straight away, but the operator said they have received multiple calls already.”

Police at the scene. (Supplied)

Badly damaged cars at the scene.

Victoria Police said in a statement: “It’s understood a vehicle has struck several pedestrians before colliding with two vehicles near Russell and Bourke Street about 6pm. The driver of the vehicle was arrested at the scene and is in custody.

“There is no ongoing threat to the community, and we will provide more information when available. Police have closed Bourke Street from Swanston Street through to Exhibition Street.”

Fatal accident car Bourke Street and Russell Street in Melbourne CBD. Source:Facebook

An Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman said five people were assessed by emergency services.

One person had been taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a serious condition.

Two others were taken to Alfred Hospital in a stable condition and a fourth person was taken to St Vincents hospital.

There has been a fatal accident in Melbourne’s CBD. Source:Facebook

One person has died while one has been taken to hospital in a serious condition. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Trams along Bourke Street were suspended between Spencer Street and Melbourne Museum, while trams along Swanston Street were being diverted between Dorcas and Franklin streets.

The deadly crash happened on the same street where six people lost their lives in 2017 when drug-induced driver James Gargasoulas drove into them.

As part of the response to that tragedy, bollards were erected to protect pedestrians.