19 people are injured after a car drove into a crowd in Melbourne

A car has driven into a crowd of pedestrians in Melbourne.

The incident occurred on a busy city centre street, Flinders Street, at approximately 4:30pm local time. A man who was driving the car was arrested at the scene. 19 people are believed to be injured, with 13 of them needing medical assistance in a nearby hospital. Others were being treated at the scene. A witness told Sky News that the car was seen breaking a red light and driving straight into the crowd. Young children were among those struck by the car, with one believed to have a serious head injury. At this point, it's not clear what motives were behind the incident, if any, but local Victoria Police are investigating.

Police are currently attending an incident on Flinders Street between Elizabeth and Swanston streets where a vehicle has collided with a number of pedestrians. Police have arrested the driver of the car. Extent of injuries are not known at this stage. (1/2)

— Victoria Police (@VictoriaPolice) December 21, 2017

Police are asking any witnesses to go to the Melbourne West Police Station at 313 Spencer Street, Melbourne and all vehicular and pedestrian traffic to avoid the area. (2/2)

— Victoria Police (@VictoriaPolice) December 21, 2017