A man is in critical condition as 12 of the injured victims remain in hospital after a car deliberately mowed down pedestrians at a busy Melbourne intersection.
A four-year-old boy with head injuries was among the 19 people injured in the incident at Flinders Street on Thursday afternoon, including the 32-year-old driver who is an Australian citizen of Afghan descent.
A 24-year-old man, who was arrested after being seen filming the incident and was found with three knives in his bag, has been released and is expected to be charged on summons with drugs and weapons possession.
The offences are not linked to the Flinders Street incident, police said in a statement on Friday.
All roads in Melbourne's CBD reopened about 2am and trams are now operating as usual.
The driver, who was arrested by an off-duty officer, is known to police following a 2010 minor assault matter, and has a history of drug use and mental health issues.
Acting Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said on Thursday night the man was on a mental health plan but was not on bail or any corrections order.
"He is still in custody, under arrest for these offences, for what we allege was a deliberate act," Mr Patton said.
A witness said the 4WD was travelling at up to 100 km/h as it hit peak hour crowds crossing Flinders Street, 11 months after six people were killed in a similar incident four blocks away in Bourke Street.
The only thing that slowed him down was him hitting pedestrians Witness Jim told ABC TV on Thursday.
"There was no braking, there was no slowing down, he went straight through the intersection. All you could hear was the sound of the car hitting people and screams."
Those hospitalised vary in age from four to 83-years-old, including the off-duty police officer.
19 people were hospitalised on Thursday, but fortunately only 12 people remained injured in hospital as of Friday morning, according to Mr Patton. One man in his 80s was in a critical condition.
Mr Patton told ABC News on Friday the hero off-duty officer was undergoing surgery for a finger injury.
"The off-duty sergeant, who responded very quickly, who happened to be there, he is going to be operated on this morning for an injury to his hand," he said.
"He is still in hospital. I'm told he is in goodspirits and I hope to speak with him later today. Great response, great actions as with everyone who responded at the time, including all the police and emergency services."
A photo of a crashed car filmed after pedestrians were hit in Melbourne.
SBS News
Mr Patton said there was no evidence to suggest any links to terrorism but investigations continue.
He said the man was alone in the car and accelerated as he drove on tram tracks down Flinders Street.
Police were on the scene within 15 seconds of the incident, Mr Patton said, and authorities were working to prevent such attacks. He reassured the public hundreds more police would be on the streets.
Premier Daniel Andrews said the "evil and cowardly" act has affected all Victorians but urged the public to go about their festive activities.
"At a time of the year when so many families are celebrating the end to the year, doing their Christmas shopping, making plans for what ought to be a festive season, we have seen a horrific act, an evil act, an act of cowardice, perpetrated against innocent bystanders," Mr Andrews said.
“They did not deserve this. Our city did not deserve this.”
Among the injured
- A four-year-old boy
- A 25-year-old man
- A 40-year-old man
- A 43-year-old man
- A 45-year-old man
- An 83-year-old man
- A 25-year-old woman
- A 25-year old woman
- A 30-year-old woman
- A 35-year-old woman
- A 47-year-old woman
- A 58-year-old woman
