A grandfather has died after being mowed down last week by a car on Flinders Street, the first fatality from the incident.
Antonios (Anton) Crocaris, 83, died about 11.30pm on Friday, eight days after becoming one of 18 pedestrians hit by a car that drove down the Flinders Street tram tracks in Melbourne, hitting pedestrians at Elizabeth Street.
His family paid tribute to an “irreplaceable” man and cherished grandfather, who was taken from them in a “senseless act of violence’.
Police released a statement from Crocaris’ family, who described him as “our Dad, our hero”.
“Our father Anton had his life cruelly taken away in a senseless act of violence,” they wrote.
“These circumstances are devastating to our family. Dad is simply irreplaceable and we will never fully recover from this loss.
“He was a beloved husband of Elizabeth (dec), adored father of Freda, Tony and Bill, and cherished grandfather of Verity, Lysander and Jackson.”
The alleged driver, Saeed Noori, 32, was last week charged with one count of reckless conduct endangering life and 18 counts of attempted murder.
Homicide squad detectives are expected to upgrade one of the charges to murder.
Noori is a former Afghan refugee and Australian citizen, who has a history of mental health and drug problems. On Wednesday, lawyers for Noori said they would explore his mental state and fitness to be tried.
Crocaris’ family said he was a “friend to all and proud citizen of Australia”.
“Our deepest gratitude to the wonderful people of Melbourne and dedicated first responders who rendered him and others every assistance. Special mention to the caring staff of The Alfred Intensive Care Unit.”
Twenty people, including accused driver Noori and an off duty police officer who arrested him, were hospitalised after the incident.
Noori was discharged from hospital last Friday 22 December and charged the next day.
Six people are still in hospital.
A police summary of the allegations against Noori, tendered in court, said: “It’s alleged the accused deliberately drove a motor vehicle into pedestrians crossing the road at the intersection of Flinders Street and Elizabeth Street in the Melbourne CBD, with the intention of killing or causing really serious injury to as many people as possible.”
The Victorian government announced the shutdown of several city streets ahead of New Year’s Eve festivities, but it has been confirmed that it’s not possible to install extra concrete bollards on the Flinders and Elizabeth street intersection.
Police had also increased their presence at various events in Victoria, including the Boxing Day Ashes Test.
Victorian premier Daniel Andrews described the incident as a “cowardly” and “evil” act that has “sickened and angered all of us”.
