Melbourne: Man sets car on fire, stabs many; arrested
A man was arrested after he crashed a car into Bourke's street mall in Melbourne, Australia, and then attempted to stab people. The ruckus injured four people, including the attacker. Police were responding to reports of a car being set on fire near the corner of Swanston St, at about 4:20 PM (local time). The suspect was arrested at the spot. He is in critical condition.
One person got a neck injury
Paramedics said they assessed three people at the scene, one with a neck injury. "They are in a suspected critical condition. A second person has been taken to hospital with a head injury. Condition not yet known. A third person has also been taken to the hospital," they said. Amateur footage showed a man lunging towards the police officers before he was shot at.
Police advise locals to avoid the area
In a statement, police said, "A small number of people are being treated for stab wounds." After the incident, the center of Melbourne's CBD between Elizabeth and Russell street was closed and police advised locals to avoid the area. Tram services were also hit. "Police are not looking for anyone further at this early stage," the statement added.
Eyewitness tells she heard a gunshot
According to eyewitness Meegan May, she was heading into the city in a tram when she heard people screaming a man had a knife. "He was waving his arms around, someone was saying he had a knife - I couldn't tell from where I was," she said. Further May told she heard a loud bang like a gunshot. Soon 50 police cars and an ambulance rushed to the spot, she added.
