One person dead and one injured after car rams into crowd in Melbourne as police swoop in and arrest driver

Fintan Starkey
Sat, 18 Apr 2026 09:54:05 +0000

A police operation is underway in Melbourne after a car struck group of people in Melbourne, Australian media has reported.

The Sydney Morning Herald has reported that the car swerved into a group of people outside a fan convention at Melbourne Showgrounds.

One pedestrian has been killed and another seriously injured.

Police and State Emergency Crew were called to the scene after 5pm local time, where the Supanova Comic Con and Gaming event was being held.

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A witness to the crash, named Tom, said a silver hatchback sped past him on Langs Road, and swerved into the nature strip and hit a group of young people.

The car then turned around and crashed into the fence at the entrance to Melbourne Showgrounds.

Tom ran up to the driver, who he claimed acted aggressively towards him.

He caught the man and helped keep him from escaping before police arrived.

Tom's wife, who works as a paramedic, helped a seriously injured victim for 20 minutes, before the emergency services were able to step in and help.

Three State Emergency Crew marquees have been set up around the convention centre following the incident.

An SES spokesperson confirmed their Essendon and Brimbank units had been called to assist.

“It is believed a grey Toyota mounted a kerb on Langs Road and struck two pedestrians just before 5pm,” Victoria police said in a statement.

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“Sadly, one of the pedestrians who is yet to be formally identified, died at the scene.

“The second pedestrian was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.”

One man has been arrested following the crash.

“The circumstances surrounding the collision are yet to be established and the investigation remains ongoing,” Victoria police said.

Comic author, Tom Taylor, who was attending the convention, told the Herald that event goers were being directed away from Gate 2, the entrance that was used for exhibitors.

Mr Taylor also said he could see a severely damaged blue-grey car on the curb, police tape and numerous police and security guards directing people from the area.

The convention was scheduled to run all weekend at the Melbourne Showgrounds.

It describes itself as “the welcoming home of Australia’s pop culture fandom” and “a place to rejoice in cosplay in expressing your inner geek, your inner child”.