Police operation underway after reports of vehicle driving into crowd at Supernova Comic Con in Melbourne

One person has died and another is in critical condition after a vehicle drove into a crowd at Melbourne’s Showgrounds.

Emergency services swarmed the scene at Melbourne Showgrounds in Ascot Vale on Saturday afternoon, with reports of a grey Toyota which is believed to have hit two people.

One person died, while another has been taken to hospital in a critical condition.

The incident is believed to have happened outside a convention venue during the popular Supanova Comic Con & Gaming, with large crowds in the area at the time.

Early reports say the car swerved into oncoming traffic and ploughed into the crowd outside the Showgrounds before stalling, as the driver allegedly exited the vehicle and attempted to leave the scene.

Police have since declared a major crime scene and have arrested a 33-year-old man from Werribee, who is known to police and has been taken in for questioning.

Detective Inspector Craig McEvoy says the situation was “terrible” for the families of the victim, as well as the person who was left with critical injuries.

“Three males had been at the Flemington Showgrounds at the Comic Con Supernova festival,” he said.

“They’ve left and they were on their way home and unfortunately they’ve been mowed down, struck down, just outside the gates of the Flemington Showgrounds.

“One hundred per cent it could have been a lot worse. Unfortunately there is still one deceased person in this situation, which is terrible for that family and everyone else involved.”

Pictures have emerged of at least three SES tents at the scene, along with paramedics.

Authorities are urging the public to avoid the precinct as investigations continue.

More to come.