Stolen Car Hits Woman, Nearly Enters Marathon Course in Melbourne

A stolen car struck a woman and narrowly missed the course for the Melbourne Marathon in the city center before speeding off, according to witness accounts. The incident occurred near Flinders Street Station.

One witness told 3AW presenter Jacqueline Felgate via message that a vehicle was "about [30 feet] away" from driving into the crowd at the event. The witness described the scene, stating, "Cops got their guns out, told everyone to get down, and the kid did a U-turn and sped off — all the officers that were stationed here have all gone to chase the offender."

Another observer described the vehicle as a "Hyundai with the bumper bar hanging off, speeding around the [central business district]." This witness added, "He was meters from breaking onto the marathon course outside of Flinders St Station. Police with their guns drawn. Terrifying."

Kirk Pearson, owner of Project Zero Coffee, told the Herald-Sun that he saw the car "come screaming through and hit a woman." Pearson stated that the woman screamed in pain as the vehicle fled and then made a U-turn near the Flinders Street and Swanston Street intersection, apparently after encountering road closures for the marathon. "Bystanders had to actually drag the injured person off the road so that they wouldn’t be hit again because this guy was not slowing down," Pearson said.

Another witness posted online that bystanders pulled the injured person from the road to prevent a second collision. Yet another witness reported that a traffic control truck at the intersection of Flinders Street and Swanston Street prevented the car from entering the marathon course. This witness stated the driver made a U-turn down Flinders Street and struck a person near the Elizabeth Street entrance of the station.

An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson confirmed to the Herald-Sun that paramedics responded to reports of an incident in Melbourne at approximately 10:45 a.m. on October 11. Paramedics transported one patient to Royal Melbourne Hospital. Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance and Advanced Life Support paramedic crews attended the scene.

News.com.au has contacted Victoria Police for comment regarding the incident.