At least three people have died after a car mounted the pavement in Melbourne’s Bourke Street mall, hitting pedestrians in the busy shopping area.
The deceased are yet to be formally identified, however police have confirmed one is a young child.
It’s believed police were in pursuit of the vehicle in the CBD when it deliberately struck a number of pedestrians at approximately 1:30 p.m.
There were also unconfirmed reports of shots fired by police at a vehicle they were chasing. Witnesses say they heard at least five shots.
A man pulled by police from a maroon car has been arrested. Police have ruled out terrorism.
Police say the situation is under control and the man is "helping us with our inquiries."
He is being treated for non-life threatening injuries.
Ambulance Victoria says paramedics are treating more than 25 people were injured, some seriously.
At least 25 people were taken to four different hospitals: the Royal Melbourne, St Vincent’s, the Alfred and Royal Children’s Hospital.
St Vincent’s says of the six people it’s treating, one is already in theatre.
St Vincent’s says it is caring for three women in their 30s, two men in their 40s and a 31-year-old male. They are all stable with severe injuries.
Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne said four patients have been admitted following the incident.
There was one report of a baby in a "pram or carriage" hit by the car and is believed to be among the dead.
Acting Commander Stuart Bateson from the Victoria Police held a brief media conference saying "there is no ongoing threat to the public."
"A male deliberately drove into pedestrians in Bourke Street Mall," he said.
They believe his actions are connected to a stabbing in Windsor, 5km from the CBD, earlier on Friday, between people known known to one another.
Following this incident, it is alleged the man took a woman he knows hostage in his car. She managed to escape on the Bolte Bridge.
Bateson said the public should avoid the city for the rest of the day.
"It's going to take us a really long time to process this scene," he said.
Pedestrian access has been closed along Bourke Street between Williams and Swanston.
He asked anyone who may have witnessed the incident and subsequently left the city to log their details on Crimestoppers.
"We will follow you up," he said.
Contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Channel Ten has footage of the car driving in circles with its tires screeching around the intersection of Bourke and Queens streets outside the city’s business train station.
"There is no ongoing threat to the public."
The homicide squad are investigating the incident with the major collision investigation unit.
Fellow pedestrians rushed to assist the injured before paramedics arrived. Among those at the scene was Sharn Baylis, who performed CPR on one of the victims, a young man believed to be in his 20s, before he died.
Prime minister Malcolm Turnbull issued a statement offering his thoughts and condolences to all involved.
Here’s what he said:
The prayers and heartfelt sympathies of all Australians are with the victims and the families of the victims of this shocking crime in Melbourne today.
And we thank and acknowledge the heroism, the professionalism of the police and the emergency workers who rushed to the aid of the victims.
Joined by bystanders who mindless of their own danger sought to help those who had been attacked in this shocking crime.
Their love, their selflessness, their courage is the very best of our Australian spirit.
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