Two 12-year-old boys have been seriously injured after a ute allegedly followed and struck them inside a pedestrian shopping mall in Mildura, north-west Victoria.
The incident happened shortly after 11pm on Thursday at Langtree Mall, where police allege a 56-year-old man drove after the boys, who were riding motorised bikes.
The ute allegedly hit both children, causing upper-body injuries. Both were taken to hospital, with one boy later flown to Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital in a serious condition.
Victoria Police arrested a 56-year-old man from New South Wales and charged him with multiple offences, including reckless conduct endangering life and dangerous driving causing serious injury.
A large crime scene was established across part of the mall, with police finding tyre marks, a damaged motorised bike and other damaged infrastructure.
The accused appeared in Mildura Magistrates’ Court but did not apply for bail. He is due to return to court next week.
Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident or has information to contact Crime Stoppers.
