Supanova Comic Con to hold minute’s silence after one killed, another injured in car strike at Melbourne Showgrounds
The driver was ‘well-known’ to police and the car travelled a further 120m down the footpath after the young men were hit.
A comic convention will hold a minute’s silence after a car ploughed into a group of attendees, killing one and critically injuring another.
Three men, all in their 20s, were outside the Melbourne Showgrounds in Ascot Vale about 5pm on Saturday when a car crossed onto the wrong side of the road and mounted a kerb, hitting the group.
One of the pedestrians died at the scene while another was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries.
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The driver, a 33-year-old man from Werribee, was apprehended in a citizens arrest involving a witness and an off duty police officer.
The trio, all friends, had been walking home from the Supanova Comic Con event which was being held at the showgrounds.
At 10am on Sunday, the final day of the convention, a minute’s silence will be held to pay tribute to the victims of the incident.
In a statement the event said it was “deeply saddened and distressed” by what had happened.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by the unspeakable tragedy that has happened on our doorstep,” it said.
“As the matter is still under police investigation and took place outside the Showgrounds precinct, we do not have any further details at present.
“As such, we will not enter into any speculation regarding this appalling situation until all the facts come to light.
“Supanova will continue to support all Supa-Fans that come through our doors tomorrow morning, and we will be holding a minute’s silence in sympathy and solidarity of the affected families and friends at 10am before opening our doors to our event.”
Driver’s ‘extremely odd’ behaviour
The man was driving a blue Toyota Echo which police say was a hire car.
Detective Inspector Craig McEvoy said the car had travelled a further 120m down the footpath after the young men were hit, eventually coming to a stop near an entry into the showgrounds.
“The vehicle has travelled a significant distance along the footpath, which is extremely odd,” McEvoy said.
“The footpath is not in the same direction he was travelling.”
He said the driver was “well-known to police”.
The driver was taken to hospital under police guard and as of Saturday night and had not yet been interviewed.
Police will investigate whether drugs, alcohol or speed were factors in the incident, McEvoy said.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with any information has been urged to come forward.
Originally published on 7NEWS
