Melbourne, Australia (CNN) The driver of a car which plowed into Christmas shoppers in Melbourne Thursday had a history of drug use and mental health issues, police said.
Acting chief commissioner of Victoria Police Shane Patton told reporters that while the crash was considered to be deliberate, there was no evidence of a link to terrorism.
Eighteen people were injured, including at least one young child, when the car hit pedestrians outside Melbourne's iconic Flinders Street station just after 4.40 p.m. local time.
Latest developments
A damaged vehicle at the scene of an incident on Flinders Street, in Melbourne, Australia, 21 December 2017.
What happened
The streets outside Melbourne's iconic Flinders Street Station was busy with commuters and shoppers Thursday when witnesses said the SUV plowed into people crossing the street.
Witnesses told CNN affiliate Seven Network they saw people flung into the air after being hit by the car, which was barreling down the road at around 60 miles per hour (100 kph).
Police arrived on the scene within 15 seconds and the man was taken into custody by an off-duty police officer after attempting to resist arrest, Patton said. Both the man and the police officer were injured in the scuffle.
A 24-year-old man was also arrested at the scene, after he was seen filming the incident on his phone. Police found three knives in his bag. The man is being interviewed by police but Patton said at this stage, "we don't yet have any relationship established between the 24-year-old man and the driver... in fact, there may be no relationship between them."
The driver was known to Victorian Police due to "historical assault matters" and a history of drug use. "We understand he is on a mental health plan and receiving treatment for a mental illness," Patton said.
People gather at the scene of where a car ran over pedestrians in Flinders Street in Melbourne on December 21, 2017.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews called it a "terrible, evil cowardly act," but said there was no need to change the state's threat level. He urged Victorians to go about their business as usual and enjoy the holiday season.
Flinders Street is one of Melbourne's busiest pedestrian roads, running between a major train station and the bustling city center. It would have been crowded with commuters and shoppers making their final purchases in the days before Christmas.
Paramedics took 19 people to nearby hospitals, including the driver. Two others were treated at the scene. Victoria Police spokesman Comm. Russell Barrett told reporters several of those injured were in a critical condition.
Among them was a pre-school age child who was taken to hospital with a head injury, and is in a serious condition, Ambulance Victoria said.
Police and emergency personnel work at the scene of where a car ran over pedestrians in Flinders Street in Melbourne on December 21, 2017.
'It just plowed into the crowds'
Jim Stoupas, owner of the Walkers Donut shop on Elizabeth Street, told CNN he saw an SUV going about 60 miles an hour (100 kph) down Flinders Street.
"It just plowed into the crowds," he said. "We heard this noise and we looked up then we just heard bang, bang, bang and people flying everywhere. We had a lot of customers in our shop and they were traumatized."
Another witness, Cameron Von Borstel, said he assumed a car had crashed into a tram when he heard a loud bang from the direction of Flinders Street.
Media conference regarding the Flinders Street incident with Commander Russell Barrett. pic.twitter.com/j7zx0V5fYQ — Victoria Police (@VictoriaPolice) December 21, 2017
"I went down the street to have a look. I saw about two or three people lying still in the street. People were helping," he told CNN.
Concrete bollards were erected along the side of some Melbourne city roads by the government in June, after a number of vehicle-related terror attacks around the world.
The streets and landmarks around Melbourne's Flinders Street station have been the target of multiple attempted terrorist plots, all foiled by police within the past year.
Less than a month ago, a man was charged with terrorism offenses over a plan to shoot "as many people as he could" on New Years Eve at Federation Square, a large public space beside the station.
In December 2016, Australian police announced they had foiled a plot to blow up improvised explosive devices around Melbourne's city center on Christmas Day , including Flinders Street Station.
It was described as "one of the most substantial terrorist plots that have been disrupted over the last several years."
Police fence off bystanders at the pedestrian crossing next to Flinders Street Station in Melbourne, on Thursday.
'Shocking scenes'
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said in a statement his thoughts and prayers were with the victims of the "shocking incident," and pledged federal authorities would work with Victoria's security agencies to investigate.
Everyone in Melbourne would have crossed that intersection at one time or another. As we think about everyone hurt and in hospital, their families and their loved ones, let's not close up with fear but open up with love. — Adam Bandt 🏳️🌈 (@AdamBandt) December 21, 2017
Bill Shorten , leader of the opposition Labor Party, said there were "shocking scenes" coming out of Melbourne. "Credit to first responders who are doing us proud once again," he said. "Thinking of everyone caught up in this atrocity."
The incident comes almost one year after six people were killed when a car plowed into pedestrians along Melbourne's Bourke Street Mall in January, just a few streets north of Flinders Street station. Police said that incident was not terror-related.
Plans for a public memorial to mark that event were announced this week by Victorian Premier Andrews.
A car has been driven into pedestrians outside a major train station in Australia in what police have called "a deliberate act".
Up to 19 people have been injured, four critically, outside Flinders Street station in Melbourne.
Police have arrested the driver of the white Suzuki SUV and another man.
"We believe based on what we have seen that it is a deliberate act," Victorian Police commander Russell Barrett said. "The motivations are unknown."
Melbourne car crash
12 show all Melbourne car crash
1/12 Police and emergency personnel work at the scene of where a car ran over pedestrians in Flinders Street in Melbourne REUTERS
2/12 The white car surrounded by investigators ABC
3/12 A police officer detains a suspected man Twitter/LACHLANVE via Reuters
4/12 People have been injured, some seriously after the crash PA
5/12 Victoria Police Commander Russell Barrett speaks to the media on Flinders Street AAP/Joe Castro via Reuters
6/12 Police and emergency services attend to the scene Reuters
7/12 The white SUV sits in the middle of the road AFP/Getty
8/12 Members of the public stand behind police tape after the driver of a vehicle that ploughed into pedestrians at a crowded intersection was arrested Reuters
9/12 Police and emergency personnel work at the scene AFP/Getty Images
10/12 Police and emergency services attend the scene of the crash on Flinders Street Reuters
11/12 The scene where a car ran over pedestrians AFP/Getty Images
12/12 Police and emergency personnel examine the scene of where a car ran over pedestrians AFP/Getty
Victoria Police chief Shane Patton said investigators have found no evidence to suggest a link with terrorism and they had not established any relationship between the two men.
The incident had chilling echoes of several attacks by Islamist militants in various parts of the world over the past few years.
In January, four people were killed and more than 20 injured when a man deliberately drove into pedestrians at a spot just a few hundred metres away from Thursday's incident, though that was not terrorism-related.
As our federal & state police & security agencies work together to secure the scene and investigate this shocking incident our thoughts & prayers are with the victims & the emergency & health workers who are treating them. https://t.co/JkUM9TuIQe — Malcolm Turnbull (@TurnbullMalcolm) December 21, 2017
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said federal and state police as well as security agencies were working together to secure the scene and investigate the "shocking incident".
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and the emergency and health workers who are treating them," Mr Turnbull said in a post on his official Twitter account.
As you will know, there's been a horrible incident on Flinders St. Police have secured the scene and will provide info as it's confirmed. Please avoid the area. Trains running but trams affected. Stay safe. Check on your loved ones. And thank you to our brave emergency services. — Daniel Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) December 21, 2017
Daniel Andrews, premier of the state of Victoria, of which Melbourne is the capital, described it as a "horrible incident."
He added: "Stay safe. Check on your loved ones. And thank you to our brave emergency services."
Police and emergency personnel work at the scene of where a car ran over pedestrians in Flinders Street in Melbourne (REUTERS)
A statement issued by the City of Melbourne local authority said: "At this stage, the details of this incident are not fully known.
"What is known is this: a vehicle has struck and injured pedestrians at the corner of Elizabeth and Flinders streets. Victoria Police have two people in custody.
"Our emergency services, including Victoria Police, have control of this situation. We have every confidence in them to protect Melbourne in such horrific circumstances.
"We have the best advice available to us and we will continue to work with the State Government and Victoria Police to keep people safe.
"At this time our thoughts are with those most affected and of course we will work with agencies to provide immediate and long-term support to them."
Police and emergency personnel work at the scene of where a car ran over pedestrians in Flinders Street in Melbourne ( AFP /Getty Images)
Australia has been on a "high" national threat level since 2015, citing the likelihood of attacks by Australians radicalised in Iraq and Syria.
A staunch ally of the United States and its campaign against Isis in Syria and Iraq, Australia believes more than 100 of its citizens are fighting there.
Additional reporting by agencies
SYDNEY -- A vehicle drove into pedestrians on a sidewalk in central Melbourne on Thursday, injuring at least 19 people. Police arrested the driver and a second man, who was freed quickly, and said they believed it was a deliberate act.
At a news conference after the incident, however, Victoria State Police said they were still trying to determine the motive but there was no evidence to suggest it was an act of terrorism.
"At this time we don't have any evidence or intelligence to indicate a connection with terrorism," Acting Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said, adding that police would "continue to support this investigation with our counterterrorism command to ensure that there isn't that connection and that there is no ongoing threat."
The driver of the vehicle was a 32-year-old Australian citizen of Afghan descent, the police said, adding that he has a history of mental illness and drug use and was known to them before the incident on the crowded Melbourne street.
Police said the second man arrested was not believed to be linked to the incident,"however he is still assisting police with enquiries."
The police confirmed that 19 people had been hospitalized, 15 of them in stable condition and four critical.
Media conference regarding the Flinders Street incident with Commander Russell Barrett. pic.twitter.com/j7zx0V5fYQ — Victoria Police (@VictoriaPolice) December 21, 2017
They said earlier that the white SUV had crashed into a cable car stop on Flinders Street in the city's central business district just after 4:30 p.m., when the area was busy with Christmas shoppers.
Authorities said a preschool aged child was among those left with serious head injuries in critical condition. Other children were among the victims.
Police were asking witnesses to come forward to help in their investigation, but otherwise requested that people steer clear of the area.
AP
Sky News Australia reported the driver of the white Suzuki SUV was wrestled to the ground and handcuffed after his vehicle crashed into a bollard by a cable car stop.
Witnesses told Sky News the car ran a red light, sped up and then struck the pedestrians in an area with a 25-mile-per-hour speed limit.
"As it (the car) approached this intersection ... it just mowed everybody down, people were flying everywhere," one witness who identified herself only as Sue told radio station 3AW.
Police said in a statement they had "saturated the ... area in the vicinity of Flinders, Elizabeth and Swanston streets to ensure community safety."
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull offered his thoughts and prayers to victims and the emergency services in a tweet on the "shocking incident."
Video
MELBOURNE, Australia — The driver of an S.U.V. who plowed into a crowd on a busy Melbourne street on Thursday, injuring 19 people, was mentally ill, Australian officials said, describing the attack as a deliberate “act of evil” but not terrorism.
“This is a terrible, evil, cowardly act and one that will be condemned by all Victorians,” Daniel Andrews, the premier of Victoria State, said at a news conference, hours after the perpetrator drove a white Suzuki S.U.V. through a busy intersection in central Melbourne.
The Australian police could point to no motive for the attack, which paralyzed the city’s heart at the end of the workday, as it was teeming with people heading home or doing holiday shopping. Among the injured was a preschool-age child and an off-duty police officer who arrested the driver. Four of the 19 victims admitted to hospitals were in critical condition, the authorities said.
Shane Patton, Victoria’s acting police commissioner, described the driver as a 32-year-old Australian citizen of Afghan descent. He was known to the authorities and had a history of criminal assault and drug abuse, according to Mr. Patton, who said the man was being treated for a mental illness.
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“At this time we do not have any evidence or any intelligence to indicate there is a connection with terrorism,” Mr. Patton said. But he added that “we continue to support this investigation with our Counterterrorism Command to ensure that there isn’t a connection and that there is no ongoing threat.”
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The suspect, who resisted arrest, was the only person in the vehicle, Mr. Patton said. The police took him to the hospital after detaining him but had yet to interview him.
