Children with families were confronted with violent scenes in Melbourne’s inner east after a brawl erupted early on Saturday evening.
Footage captured by News24’s Jack Nyhof appears to show three individuals involved in a brawl near the corner of Swan and Charles streets in Richmond.
One of the men, dressed in black and wearing white sneakers, can be seen kicking a second man as he tries to get up.
The pair then traded punches before the second man crossed the road.
Before the first man could follow him, multiple individuals intervened in the fight, one of whom became the target of further blows.
The man who had thrown the kick is then pushed across the road by a female carrying a lamp, as the two males who had intervened to break up the fight remained on the opposite side.
A second video recorded a short time later shows a police officer standing over a man who is lying face down outside a petrol station, across the road from where the fight occurred.
Shocking video captures violent brawl in Melbourne’s inner east. Video: Jack Nyhoff / News24
Nyhof said he witnessed the incident while driving down Swan Street, and the fight was still ongoing when he walked back up the street to a restaurant.
“We heard banging like something was being thrown at one point. Traffic had essentially stopped on the street and a tram was held up,” he said.
The News24 reporter said he was surprised by how unfazed many bystanders were by the violence.
Bystanders can be seen intervening to break up the fighting. Video: Jack Nyhof / News24
“What struck me was how nonchalant other members of what I assume was a family appeared to be as the brawl continued in front of them,” he said.
“The ordeal lasted about 15 minutes and was intense.
“Eventually paramedics and police responded. Large crowds had gathered. There were families with children around.
“It must have been nerve-wracking for those families to witness that type of violence.”
Victoria Police said an individual had been hit by a car during the altercation, which occurred about 7.45pm on Saturday.
“It is believed there was a physical altercation between two men outside a service station on Swan Street about 7.45pm,” Victoria Police said in a statement.
“One of the men got inside a white Subaru and struck the other man before driving off.
“The 21-year-old Edithvale man sustained minor injuries.
“A third man, a 28-year-old from Cremorne, also tried to intervene during the incident and sustained minor injuries.”
Anyone who witnessed the incident, with CCTV/dashcam vision or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Read related topics:Melbourne Crime Wave