One dead, one fighting for life after car swerves into pedestrians at Showground
Updated ,first published
A man has died and his friend is fighting for his life after he was struck by a car that went off the road outside a fan convention at the Melbourne Showgrounds on Saturday evening.
The car was driven by a 33-year-old Werribee man who Detective Inspector Craig McEvoy, who was in charge of the collision investigation unit, said was “well known to the police”.
He said police were investigating whether the incident, which occurred just after 5pm, was intentional.
“One hundred percent. We’ll look at everything,” McEvoy said. “We’ll let the evidence tell us what happened here tonight.
“We have not yet established whether drugs, alcohol and speed were involved but this will form part of our investigation.”
Tom, a witness who gave only his name, had just left the Supanova Comic Con and Gaming event at the Showgrounds with his wife and young daughter when a silver Toyota Echo sped past them. “I heard a scream and a man went onto the sidewalk at an erratic speed and hit several people,” he said.
McEvoy said the car hit pedestrians, then traveled 120 meters along a path between trees, lampposts and hedges around the Showgrounds area.
After driving towards Tom along the path, the car stopped and he ran over to the driver and stopped him from running away.
“He was indecisive,” Tom said. “I said, ‘You’re not going anywhere, man.’”
The police officer arrived at the scene in a short time and detained the driver.
The vehicle hit two people in their 20s. One person died at the scene of the accident, while the other injured person was taken to the hospital. A third person was also hospitalized due to the trauma of the incident.
“The vehicle traveled a significant distance along the footpath, which is extremely strange,” McEvoy said.
“Nothing indicates it is medically relevant at this point.”
The driver was under police protection Saturday night, and McEvoy said detectives were waiting to interview him.
“He’s well known to the police at this point,” he said.
Dozens of police and SES volunteers had taped off the street and were interviewing witnesses at around 6pm.
Tom said his wife, a paramedic, worked on the seriously injured victim for 20 minutes before emergency services relieved him.
“He couldn’t move but he was breathing,” he said.
A police officer at the scene was heard saying the incident was “graphic” and difficult to witness.
Langs Road resident Fabian saw four to five police officers and paramedics tending to an injured victim at around 5.15pm.
He said the victim’s large black platform boots were strewn across the footpath.
“I hope whoever it is can get over this, God damn it,” he said. “It looked really awful.”
Fabian, who has lived in the area for six years, said traffic in the area was often terrible, especially when events were held at the Showgrounds.
“[There are] big crowds, huge lines [and people] “I’m directing traffic one way along Langs Road,” he said.
Three SES tents have been set up outside the Ascot Vale ground, next to Flemington Racecourse. An SES spokesman confirmed Essendon and Brimbank units had been called to assist.
Bestselling comic book author Tom Taylor, who attended the event, said attendees of the event were directed away from Gate 2, the entrance used by attendees.
He could see a severely damaged blue-gray sedan on the pavement, police tape, and numerous police and security guards directing people in the area.
The Supanova Comic Con and Gaming event, scheduled to take place all weekend at the Melbourne Showgrounds, describes itself as the “welcoming home of Australia’s pop culture fandom”.
Among the guests of this year’s congress: Lord of the Rings And Planet of the Apes star Andy Serkis, Buffy the Vampire Slayer star James Marsters, Stranger Things actor Jamie Campbell Bower and Harry Potter actress Bonnie Wright.
Angus Delaney is a reporter for The Age. Email him at angus.delaney@theage.com.au or contact him securely on Signal at angusdelaney.31.Connect via email.
