Updated ,first published
A man is dead and his friend is fighting for life after they were hit by a car that swerved onto the footpath outside a fan convention at Melbourne Showgrounds on Saturday evening.
The car was driven by a 33-year-old Werribee man, who major collision investigation unit Detective Inspector Craig McEvoy said was “well known to police”.
He said police were investigating whether the incident – which occurred just after 5pm – was intentional.
“One hundred per cent. We’ll look at everything,” McEvoy said. “We’ll let the evidence tell us what’s occurred here tonight.
“We’re still yet to determine if drugs, alcohol, speed are involved, but that will form part of our investigation.”
A witness, Tom, who gave only his first name, had just left the Supanova Comic Con and Gaming event at the Showgrounds with his wife and young daughter when the silver Toyota Echo sped past them. “I heard a screech and a guy mounted the kerb at an erratic speed, hit a couple people,” he said.
McEvoy said the car swerved into the pedestrians, then drove 120 metres along the footpath between trees, power poles and the fence around the Showgrounds venue.
After driving along the footpath back towards Tom, the car stalled, and he ran up to the driver and stopped him from fleeing.
“He was erratic,” Tom said. “I said, ‘You’re not going anywhere, mate.’”
An off-duty police officer arrived at the scene shortly after and arrested the driver.
Two men in their 20s were hit by the vehicle. One died at the scene while the other was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries. A third person was also taken to hospital due to the trauma of the incident.
“The vehicle has travelled a significant distance along the footpath, which is extremely odd,” McEvoy said
“Nothing suggests at this point in time it’s medically related.”
The driver was under police guard on Saturday night, and McEvoy said detectives were waiting to interview him.
“He’s well known to police at this point in time,” he said.
Dozens of police and SES volunteers had taped off the street and were interviewing witnesses about 6pm.
Tom said his wife, a paramedic, worked on the seriously injured victim for 20 minutes before emergency services relieved her.
“He couldn’t move, but he was breathing,” he said.
A police officer was overheard at the scene saying the incident was “graphic” and difficult to witness.
Fabian, a resident of Langs Road, saw four to five police officers and paramedics tending to an injured victim about 5.15pm.
He said the victim’s large black platform boots were strewn across the footpath.
“I really hope whoever it is pulls through – holy shit,” he said. “It looked really grim.”
Fabian, who has lived in the area for six years, said the traffic was often abysmal in the area, particularly when events were held at the Showgrounds.
“[There are] huge crowds, huge lines [and people] directing traffic one way along Langs Road,” he said.
Three SES marquees were set up outside the Ascot Vale venue, next to Flemington Racecourse. An SES spokesperson confirmed their Essendon and Brimbank units had been called to assist.
Best-selling comic author Tom Taylor, who was attending the event, said event-goers were being directed away from Gate 2, the entrance used by exhibitors.
He could see a severely damaged blue-grey sedan on the kerb, police tape and numerous police and security guards directing people from the area.
The Supanova Comic Con and Gaming event – which was scheduled to run all weekend at Melbourne Showgrounds – describes itself as “the welcoming home of Australia’s pop culture fandom”.
Guests at this year’s convention include 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 at The Age. Email him at angus.delaney@theage.com.au or contact him securely on Signal at angusdelaney.31Connect via email.
Bianca Hall is The Age’s environment and climate reporter, and has worked in a range of roles including as a senior writer, city editor, and in the federal politics bureau in Canberra.Connect via X, Facebook or email.
