Awer Dau, a 33-year-old learner driver from Yarraville, briefly appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court via videolink from Melbourne West Police station on Sunday evening, according to court reports. He was charged with dangerous driving causing death and culpable driving causing death, police said. The court heard Dau was already on bail when he allegedly mounted a curb to drive into three men as they stood outside the Supanova Comic Con and Gaming event at the Melbourne Showgrounds, just after 5pm on Saturday, media reported. He did not apply for bail and will remain behind bars until his return to court on September 15, the court was told.
Police are investigating what sparked the incident, including whether speed, alcohol or drugs were involved. Detective Inspector Craig McEvoy said the circumstances surrounding the collision had not yet been established and the arrested man was due to be interviewed. Police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident, has CCTV or dashcam vision or have any information, to contact Crime Stoppers. It is not clear whether the incident was intentional, according to Detective Inspector Craig McEvoy, who noted police would be investigating all avenues.
For unknown reasons the car has travelled across the southbound lanes, up on to the footpath where it has impacted two young males in their 20s, who were walking in a group of three.
Witness accounts describe a chaotic scene. A witness named Tom was leaving the convention with his wife and daughter when they saw a Toyota allegedly speed past them on Langs Road. Tom said the car did a U-turn before driving back down the street. According to Daily Mail - News, Tom described hearing a screech and seeing a car mount the kerb at an erratic speed, hitting people. The driver then stalled, according to the witness, who attempted to perform a citizen's arrest. According to www.9news.com.au, Tom described stopping the driver from fleeing after the car stalled. Tom said his wife, who is a paramedic, worked on a victim who was allegedly hit by the car for 20 minutes before ambulances arrived.
Victoria Police said a grey Toyota struck two pedestrians on Langs Road in the Ascot Vale suburb just before 17:00 local time (07:00 GMT) on Saturday. The incident occurred on Langs Road near the Melbourne Showgrounds in Ascot Vale. The car was a Toyota Echo that mounted a kerb and hit pedestrians, and it is believed to be a hire car, according to police. The car was travelling north when it crossed lanes and mounted the footpath. Detective Inspector Craig McEvoy stated, "For unknown reasons the car has travelled across the southbound lanes, up on to the footpath where it has impacted two young males in their 20s, who were walking in a group of three." The car drove between two trees, hitting pedestrians, before travelling an extra 120 metres. Detective Inspector Craig McEvoy added, "The car then travelled along the footpath approximately another 120 metres where it has come to rest."
One of the males has (died) at the scene, the other has sustained significant lower limb injuries and has been conveyed to hospital.
The car allegedly struck the trio who were on their way home from the event, with one dying at the scene and another rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries, media reported. Both victims are in their 20s. One pedestrian died at the scene and the second was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries, police said. Detective Inspector Craig McEvoy explained, "One of the males has (died) at the scene, the other has sustained significant lower limb injuries and has been conveyed to hospital." A third person in the group was not struck but was taken to hospital for shock, according to reports. The trio had been at the Supanova Comic Con and Gaming event.
Detective Inspector Craig McEvoy said a 33-year-old Werribee man, who was allegedly driving the vehicle, was arrested at the scene by an off-duty police officer. Victoria Police quickly arrived and arrested the driver. The driver was arrested by an off-duty police officer with public assistance, police said. Detective Inspector Craig McEvoy noted, "The driver was then arrested by an off-duty police officer who was assisted by members of the public." The driver remains under police guard in hospital. The driver is well known to police and has bail concerns, according to Detective Inspector Craig McEvoy.
It was 'extremely odd' as the vehicle had 'travelled a significant distance along the footpath'.
Supanova Comic Con & Gaming organisers released a statement, saying a minute's silence would be held as the two-day event continues at 10am on Sunday. The Supanova Comic Con and Gaming event posted a statement on Facebook, sharing its condolences to those impacted by the incident. Organizers issued a statement saying they were deeply saddened and distressed but would continue the convention. Organizers plan to hold a minute's silence at 10am to honor the victims.
Supanova is a convention about science fiction and fantasy TV shows, comic books, gaming and collectables. Thousands attend Supanova Comic Con and Gaming annually, with celebrities like Jamie Campbell Bower and Andy Serkis headlining, according to event information. The event features an indie games showcase, panels, and Q&As. Supanova holds expos in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, and the Gold Coast.
The car then travelled along the footpath approximately another 120 metres where it has come to rest.
Local media reported the crash happened outside the Melbourne Showgrounds, which had been hosting the two-day Supanova Comic Con & Gaming event. Pictures of the scene showed a police cordon around the vehicle which appeared to have visible damage. A police operation is underway in Melbourne after a car struck a group of people, 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 person is dead after a car swerved into pedestrians outside a comic convention in Melbourne, according to reports.
There is a contradiction regarding the number of victims struck by the car. Some reports indicate the car struck three men, while Victoria Police stated it struck two pedestrians. This discrepancy affects the understanding of the scale of the incident and the number of direct victims. The car allegedly struck the trio, but police accounts specify two pedestrians were impacted, with a third person in the group unharmed but treated for shock. Detective Inspector Craig McEvoy's statement aligns with the police version, noting the car impacted two young males in a group of three.
The driver was then arrested by an off-duty police officer who was assisted by members of the public.
Several unknowns remain in the investigation. It is not clear whether the incident was intentional, as Detective Inspector Craig McEvoy indicated police are investigating all avenues. The exact cause of the incident, including whether speed, alcohol, or drugs were involved, has not been established. The current medical condition and prognosis of the critically injured victim have not been disclosed. The motive or reasons behind the driver's actions are under investigation, and it is unknown whether the driver will face additional charges beyond the initial ones. Police continue to urge witnesses to come forward as inquiries progress.
I heard a screech and a guy (allegedly) mounted the kerb at an erratic speed, hit a couple people.
You're not going anywhere, mate.
He couldn't move but he was breathing.
A witness named Tom heard a screech and saw a car mount the kerb at erratic speed, hitting people.
Tom stopped the driver from fleeing after the car stalled.