As it happened: CBD horror, four dead, 31 hospitalised as car knocks down pedestrians

• 11:34pm on 20 Jan 2017

Bourke Street incident: what we know so far

We are bringing our live blog to a close. Thank you for reading.

Here are the key facts on Friday's bloody rampage in Melbourne's CBD. 

A man identified as James 'Jimmy' Gargasoulas allegedly drove a car through a crowd of pedestrians on Bourke Street, killing four people and injuring at least 20 others.

Among the four people killed were a man in his 30s, a woman in her 30s, and a young child. Police confirmed the death of the fourth person on Friday night but are not releasing the age and gender of the deceased until next of kin have been notified.  

The Australian Jewish News is reporting that one of the victims was a 10-year-old girl from Beth Rivkah College in St Kilda East. The publication also said the girl's mother and sister were in hospital in a critical condition. 

A three-month-old baby girl who was rushed to hospital by police officers is among six people with life-threatening injuries.

Three people are in a critical condition at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and two are in a critical condition at The Alfred. (One of these people may since have died) 

An additional 23 people are being treated for injuries in Melbourne hospitals, including some who went into shock after witnessing the incident. 

Mr Gargasoulas, 26, has been arrested. He is in hospital after being shot in the arm by police.

Mr Gargasoulas is accused of stabbing his brother, Angelo, in his mother's public housing flat in Windsor on Friday morning. Police said he has a history of family violence, as well as mental health and drug problems.

On Wednesday night, Mr Gargasoulas allegedly attacked 76-year-old Gavin Wilson, who lives at his mother's housing commission flats, and demanded the keys to his car.

The car, a maroon sedan, was used in Friday's rampage.

Mr Gargasoulas, who is a father to a number of children, has been posting ranting and and angry comments on social media this week about God, war and police.

Police said the incident was not terror-related. 

• Bourke Street: A few minutes of vile madness

• Melbourne CBD tragedy: A city terrorised by an act of madness

• 10:41pm on 20 Jan 2017

Police have reopened Flinders and Swanston Streets

The intersection of Flinders and Swanston Streets has been reopened this evening, police say.

Gargasoulas was filmed doing doughnuts at the busy intersection before allegedly running down pedestrians on Bourke Street on Friday. 

• 10:19pm on 20 Jan 2017

Man accused of Bourke Street rampage seen in live TV cross



The man who ploughed through crowds in Bourke Street drove through a Channel 9 reporter's live cross on Friday morning.

Neary Ty was reporting in Windsor about an alleged stabbing when a man believed to be the driver of the maroon car, James 'Jimmy' Gargasoulas, stopped in the background and poked his head out of the drivers' window.

Speaking to Nine News on Friday afternoon, Ms Ty said: "The man started ranting and raving and swearing. He was waving his red hat out of the window."

Police believe Gargasoulas stabbed his brother, Angelo, at their mother's public housing flat in the early hours of Friday morning. 

 

• 9:39pm on 20 Jan 2017

10-year-old Jewish girl among the four people killed

The Australian Jewish News is reporting that one of the victims was a 10-year-old girl from Beth Rivkah College in St Kilda East. 

The publication is also reporting the girl's mother and sister are also in hospital in a critical condition. 

Police have confirmed that four people were killed in the Bourke Street incident.    

 

• 9:29pm on 20 Jan 2017

Premier Daniel Andrews: "our hearts are breaking this afternoon"

Premier Daniel Andrews has called the incident an "evil criminal act" but has thanked emergency services and ordinary Victorians for coming to the aid of those injured. 

"Our emergency services have done us proud in the most difficult of circumstances," he said. 

He said the apprehended man had no links to terrorist organisations or criminal activity.  

"He is no longer a threat to Victorians thanks to the good work of Victoria Police," he said. 

He said stories were emerging of "ordinary Victorians coming to the aid of their fellow citizens" after pedestrians were run down on Bourke Street. 

"Our hearts are breaking this afternoon that a number of poeple have died, and some remain in a critical condition."

"We can be confident we are stronger than this evil criminal act," he said.

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• 9:26pm on 20 Jan 2017

Bourke Street incident: what we know so far

Update: Here are the key facts on the Bourke Street incident. 

• A man driving a maroon car knocked down a number of pedestrians on Bourke Street, killing four people and injuring at least 20.

• The four people killed were a man in his 30s, a woman in her 30s, a young child and a fourth person. Police confirmed the death of the fourth person about 9pm on Friday but are not disclosing the age and gender of the deceased until the next of kin have been notified.  

• Six people have been taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries, including a three-month-old baby girl who was rushed by police car to the Royal Children's Hospital. Three people are in a critical condition at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and two are in a critical condition at The Alfred. (One of these may since have died) 

• An additional 23 people are currently being treated for injuries in Melbourne hospitals, including some people who went into shock after witnessing the incident. 

• The driver of the car has been arrested. The Age has identified him as James "Jimmy" Gargasoulas, 26. He was accused of stabbing his brother in Windsor on Friday morning. He has a history of family violence, as well as mental health and drug problems

• The incident was not terror-related. 

• Police are advising Melburnians to avoid the following area while they conduct their investigation into the incident. 

• Before running down pedestrians on Bourke Street, Gargasoulas was filmed doing doughnuts at the Swanston/Flinders Street intersection. 

• Victims Support Line: Witnesses and victims requiring support can call 1800 819 817. 

• Police are urging anyone with footage of the incident to upload it to http://upload.vicpolicenews.com.au or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 in order to aid their investigation. 

• 9:18pm on 20 Jan 2017

Fourth person killed in Bourke Street incident

Police have confirmed that the death toll from the Bourke Street incident has risen to four.

However, they are not releasing the age or sex of the most recent victim until next of kin has been notified. 

A man in his 30s, a woman in her 30s and a young child were also killed. These three people were knocked down at different points along Bourke Street and were not connected. 
 

• 8:51pm on 20 Jan 2017

Eyewitness accounts: "Without (my co-worker) telling me to run, I would be dead."

The eyewitness accounts of the incident are harrowing. 

Sharn Baylis said she gave CPR to a man who could not be saved and died of his injuries. 

She said the driver of the car mowed down pedestrians with no hesitation. 

"He was going around 60km/h but it seemed faster," she said. "People were literally just flying like skittles, bouncing off the bonnet and smashing into the shops."

The witnesses: 'There was no hesitation, he just mowed them down'

Samantha Welsh was on her way back to work after lunch when she ran into a colleague at the corner of Bourke and William streets.

"I stood there and chatted to him for about five minutes and my co-worker noticed something and turned and screamed, 'run'," Ms Welsh said.

"I owe my co-worker my life," she said. "Without him telling me to run, I would be dead."

Witness to Bourke Street horror tells of seeing toddler in 'pink, puffy jacket'

• 8:29pm on 20 Jan 2017;
• Henrietta Cook

International insurance broker Marsh confirmed that two of their employees were injured in the incident and had received medical treatment. 

A spokeswoman was unable to provide an update on their condition. "We haven't been informed," she said.  An email was sent to staff about the incident. 
 

• 8:18pm on 20 Jan 2017;
• Rania Spooner, Julia Medew, Craig Butt

What we know about the people injured

Based on the most recent information, 31 people have been hospitalised as a result of the Bourke Street mall incident. 

However, not all of these people were knocked down on Bourke Street - some people have been taken to hospital because of the shock of what they witnessed when the car ran down pedestrians. 

Six people are in a critical condition, including a three-month-old girl.

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton has warned the death toll may rise. 

Royal Melbourne Hospital has received 11 patients. Three are critical, two are serious, and six are stable.

The Royal Children's Hospital is treating five people. The three-month-old girl is in a critical condition, a 2-year-old is serious and a 9-year-old, 13-year-old and 23-year-old are stable. The 13-year-old and 23-year-old have since been discharged. 

St Vincent's Hospital has received seven patients, all of them in a stable condition.

The Alfred has received seven patients. Two are critical but stable, two are in a serious condition, and three are stable.

The Royal Ear and Eye Hospital has also received one patient. 

Melbourne hospitals caring for dozens, including children and witnesses

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• 7:56pm on 20 Jan 2017;
• Julia Medew

Two admitted to hospital in shock after witnessing Bourke Street incident

An emergency doctor working at St Vincent's Hospital today said two patients were so shocked by what they had seen, they needed medical care.

Dr Neil Cunningham, the senior doctor who coordinated St Vincent's response to the event, said one "extremely distressed" person who had not been hit by the car was brought in by ambulance with chest pains and may be suffering from a heart attack.

Another person was "very much in psychological shock" after witnessing the crime and had been admitted for treatment.

"It's not unheard of that people sustain heart attacks from stress," he said.

Dr Cunningham said St Vincent's received another five patients with multiple injuries. All were clearly in pain and conscious when they arrived. Some had blood on them.

About 60 staff were rallied in the emergency department to care for the patients who are all stable tonight. Dr Cunningham said the health system appeared to work well today, and that staff would have to debrief to look after their own health and to learn from the experience.

"I feel incredibly proud of all the staff at St Vincent's today. We had an environment that was respectful and understanding of the fact that the people coming through the door had been through a very, very distressing event," he said.

• 7:42pm on 20 Jan 2017

Bourke Street mall incident: the reactions

Premier Daniel Andrews: "Our hearts are breaking this afternoon... our emergency services have done us proud in the most difficult of circumstances... we can be confident we are stronger than this evil criminal act." 

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle: "It is very difficult to believe these sort of things could happen right in front of you in the city".

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull: 

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten: "All Australians stand with the people of Melbourne in this horrific moment. We offer our heartfelt condolences to the loved ones of the lost."

 

• 7:34pm on 20 Jan 2017

Correction: 20 people were injured, not 15

Correction: 20 people were injured when a man driving a maroon car knocked down a number of pedestrians on Bourke Street

We had previously reported the number as 15, based on comments chief commissioner Graham Ashton made at a 5pm press conference. 

However, police inform us that the number injured was actually 20. 

 

• 7:18pm on 20 Jan 2017;
• Tammy Mills, Beau Donelly, Chris Vedelago

Bourke Street Mall driver identified as James "Jimmy" Gargasoulas

The man who allegedly mowed down 18 people in Melbourne's CBD on Friday, killing three and injuring 15 others, has a history of drug use, violence and psychological problems.

James "Jimmy" Gargasoulas, 26, lived in public housing flats in Windsor, where he allegedly stabbed his brother, Angelo, in the early hours of Friday morning.

A relative said Jimmy has had a drug problem and has been in and out of jail for car theft and drug offences.

"Jimmy has always been a bad person," she said. "I knew it was him. I saw it on TV ... the picture of him sticking his head out when he was doing burnouts.

"I saw a picture and I thought 'Oh My God, that's Jimmy.' I'm shaking. I knew it, as soon as I saw that picture I had this feeling. I can't believe this.

"I balled out crying when they announced that baby died. I'm shaking, I just can't believe this."

Bourke Street Mall driver identified as James "Jimmy" Gargasoulas

• 7:06pm on 20 Jan 2017

Comment from The Age's top writers

John Silvester

Crime reporter John Silvester writes that the arrested man was deliberately running down pedestrians on Bourke Street. "The extent of damage to the offender's vehicle shows that he hit his victims at speed, with one being dragged under the car and others smashing on the bonnet and onto the roof."

He writes today's events show how susceptible any peaceful city is to random attack and simply cannot be defended.

"The attack on pedestrians by a known violent, charged offender with a history of drugs abuse and mental health problems will lead to calls for the bail structure to be scrutinised in the same way," he writes.

"There will be outrage and calls for major reforms. And this time the law makers will be forced to listen."

Killer driver highlighted how susceptible city is to attack

 

Daniel Flitton

The Age senior correspondent Daniel Flitton writes the city has been terrorised, although not by an act of terrorism. 

"This might not be an act of politically motivated violence, but the shock and trauma should not be discounted just because it doesn't fit into some grand narrative of global mayhem," he writes. "It is not September 11, 2001, but nonetheless, the dead and injured are someone's sons and daughters." 

Read more: Melbourne CBD tragedy: A city terrorised by an act of madness

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• 7:00pm on 20 Jan 2017;
• Julia Medew, Rania Spooner, Craig Butt

The people hospitalised: the condition reports

Twenty people were injured in the incident and a total of 29 people have been hospitalised (some for shock).

Six of these 29 people are critical, five are in a serious condition and 18 are in a stable condition. 

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton has warned the death toll may rise. 

Royal Melbourne Hospital has received 11 patients. Three are critical, two are serious, and six are stable.

The Royal Children's Hospital is treating five people. A three-month-old girl is in a critical condition, one is serious and three are stable. 

St Vincent's Hospital has received six patients, all of them in a stable condition.

The Alfred has received seven patients. Two are critical but stable, two are in a serious condition, and three are stable.

Melbourne hospitals caring for dozens, including children and witnesses

• 6:53pm on 20 Jan 2017

The press conference on the Bourke Street incident

Premier Daniel Andrews and police commissioner Graham Ashton spoke to media about the incident about 5pm. 

Chief Police Commissioner Graham Ashton said a man and woman in their 30s and a child died in the incident.

The adults and child are not believed to be related, and were hit at separate intersections on Bourke Street, he said.

Fifteen people were injured by he vehicle, including five who are critical.

An infant child in a pram who was hit by the car was treated at the scene by emergency services and was driven in a police car to hospital where it is in critical condition. 

Mr Ashton believes the death toll "could in fact rise".

Police believe the 26-year-old offender had mental health issues, and has came to police's attention due drug-related issues and family violence assaults, leading to police charges last weekend. 

Mr Ashton said the man had "an extensive family violence history".

• 6:41pm on 20 Jan 2017

Car was doing donuts at Flinders Street Station intersction

Police are inspecting the tire marks left on the road at the intersection of Flinders and Swanston Streets before the car sped up Swanston Street and into Bourke Street. 

 

• 6:37pm on 20 Jan 2017;
• Rania Spooner

Nine-year-old's condition improves from serious to stable

The condition of a nine-year-old child injured in today's incident has improved from serious to stable. 

A three-month-old girl remains in a critical condition. She had to be rushed to the hospital in a police car because there simply was no time to wait for an ambulance to reach the scene. 

A 12-year-old and a two-year-old remain in a serious condition, while a 23 year old woman also being treated at the the hospital is in a stable condition.

A total of 25 people have been hospitalised. Fifteen were pedestrians knocked down by the car and 10 appear to be people who were admitted to hospital after witnessing the incident. 
 

• 6:29pm on 20 Jan 2017

Bourke Street incident: what we know so far

Update: Here are the key facts on the Bourke Street incident. 

• A man driving a maroon car knocked down a number of pedestrians on Bourke Street, killing three people and injuring 15.

• The three people killed were a man in his 30s, a woman in her 30s and a young child. 

• Five people have been taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries, including a three-month-old baby girl.

• The driver of the car has been arrested.

• The incident was not terror-related. 

• Police are advising Melburnians to avoid the following area while they conduct their investigation into the incident. 

• The driver of the car is accused of stabbing his brother in Windsor on Friday morning. 

• Before running down pedestrians on Bourke Street, he allegedly took a woman hostage. She later escaped on Bolte Bridge and he drove into the city, and was filmed doing doughnuts at the Swanston/Flinders Street intersection.

• The man has a history of family violence, mental health and drug problems. 

Full article on what we know so far

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