Grandfather dies in hospital after Flinders Street attack

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A cherished grandfather killed after being hit by a car that mowed down pedestrians in the Melbourne CBD was a “hero” taken in a senseless act of violence, his family say.

Antonios (Anton) Crocaris, 83, died about 11.30pm on Friday, eight days after becoming one of 18 people hit by a car that drove down the tram tracks in Flinders Street, ploughing through pedestrians at Elizabeth Street.

In a statement Mr Crocaris’ devastated family called him: “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, adored father of Freda, Tony and Bill, and cherished grandfather of Verity, Lysander and Jackson.”

Mr 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.”

Mr Crocaris is the first fatality from the December 21 attack.

“This is such a shocking, tragic, needless loss of life,” Assistant Commissioner Doug Fryer told reporters on Saturday.

Acting opposition leader Tanya Plibersek said she and all Australians were thinking of Mr Crocaris’ family.

“Our thoughts are with the man’s family and friends and the families and friends of all of those injured.

“This has been, obviously, a very distressing time and I’m sure that all Australians send out their thought, their love, their prayers,” she told reporters in Sydney.

Twenty people, including the accused driver Saeed Noori and an off duty police officer who arrested him, were hospitalised after the rampage.

Six people are still in hospital.

Noori, 32, an Afghan refugee and Australian citizen with known mental health and drug problems, has been charged with 18 counts of attempted murder.

Homicide Squad detectives are expected to upgrade one of those charges to murder.

“The accused has already been charged with 18 counts of attempted murder and we would expect in the next few days that that would be upgraded,” Mr Fryer said.

“It could well be an out of sessions hearing where it’s upgraded.”

It’s the second fatal car attack on pedestrians in the Melbourne CBD in 2017.

In January, six people died and dozens were injured when 27-year-old Dimitrious Gargasoulas allegedly drove through the Bourke Street mall. He’s pleaded not guilty and the case will return to court in March.

Several streets around Federation Square, including parts of Flinders Street, will be closed off during New Year’s festivities so that revellers can walk freely.

But the Victorian government has confirmed that it’s not possible to install extra concrete bollards on the Flinders and Elizabeth street intersection because it would stop trams from moving.