A violent road rage incident during Wednesday's peak hour traffic in Melbourne's north culminated in a stabbing directly opposite a police station, with officers witnessing the entire chaotic event unfold.
Chaos Unfolds in Broadmeadows
The dramatic series of events began around 5pm on Wednesday on Dimboola Rd in Broadmeadows. Witnesses reported a Kia and a Volkswagen Golf being driven erratically, with the situation rapidly escalating. The Kia allegedly rammed the Volkswagen multiple times, initiating a dangerous chase that led them into a petrol station situated right next to the Broadmeadows Police Station.
The confrontation then spilled onto Pascoe Vale Rd, where the vehicles were seen travelling on the wrong side of the road. In a reckless move, the Kia forced the Golf into an innocent bystander's vehicle. Fortunately, the person inside that car was not injured.
A Stabbing and a Police Response
Both cars eventually stopped near the Broadmeadows train station, and their occupants spilled out onto the street. The altercation turned violent, resulting in a 20-year-old man being stabbed in his upper right arm.
Police officers, who had observed the incident from their nearby station, rushed to the scene to assist the injured man. Detective Sergeant Jess Graham described the scene as "hectic" and said the victim was "bleeding heavily." Bystanders used clothing to create a makeshift bandage to stem the significant blood loss before the man was rushed to hospital with serious injuries. He is now reported to be in a stable condition.
By the time police arrived at the precise location of the stabbing, the white Kia had fled and multiple people had scattered. A pile of abandoned clothes and droplets of blood were left at the scene.
Investigation Ongoing After Arrests
Victoria Police subsequently arrested two boys aged 15 and 17 and two men aged 23 and 24. However, all four were interviewed and later released as investigations continue. Detective Sergeant Graham confirmed that the white Kia involved had been stolen from Epping several days prior to the incident.
"We're trying to determine which car they were all in, who did the stabbing, what their involvement is, what caused it and at this stage we don't know," Graham stated. She added that those arrested, as well as the injured man, have been uncooperative with police. Two kitchen-style knives have been recovered as part of the investigation.
Authorities believe the individuals involved are known to each other and that the incident may have started with the two cars racing. The situation apparently escalated when a knife was produced at the corner of Pearcedale Pde and Dimboola Rd.
Detective Sergeant Graham condemned the "disgusting" and "brazen" nature of the crime, noting the offenders' complete lack of care for public safety. Police are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with video footage of the incident to come forward.
