Tag police cordon off bourke street mall after a car hit pedestrians in central melbourne

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BREAKING: Car Hits Pedestrians in Central Melbourne, Police Cordon Off Bourke Street Mall

A dramatic scene unfolded in the heart of Melbourne's CBD today as a car plowed into pedestrians in Bourke Street Mall, prompting police to cordon off the area.

According to eyewitnesses, the vehicle, believed to be a sedan, struck multiple people at around 2:30 pm local time. The incident occurred near the intersection of Bourke Street and Swanston Street, a popular shopping and dining precinct.

"It was like a nightmare," said one witness, who wished to remain anonymous. "I was walking down the street when I heard a loud crash. I turned around and saw people lying on the ground. It was chaos."

Emergency services rushed to the scene, with paramedics and police officers working to treat the injured. The extent of the injuries is not yet clear, but authorities have confirmed that multiple people were taken to hospital.

Police have cordoned off the area, with Bourke Street Mall closed in both directions. The surrounding streets are also affected, with traffic diverted to alternative routes.

The cause of the incident is still under investigation, but police have ruled out terrorism as a motive. The driver of the vehicle has been taken into custody and is being questioned by authorities.

This is a developing story, and we will provide updates as more information becomes available.

PHOTO: A police cordon blocks off Bourke Street Mall in central Melbourne after a car hit pedestrians. (Credit: 9News)