By Brendan Rees
An axe-wielding man has gone a frightening rampage, smashing windows and terrorising commuters at Cranbourne Railway Station on Saturday morning, 29 February.
The incident unfolded when the crazed man walked into the reception area of the station, hurling abuse at nearby passengers before allegedly retrieving a large axe from his car and smashing the station’s glass sliding doors and ticket box window about 6.30am.
The sight caused panic among commuters, one of which “ran for his life” from the platform, according to an eyewitness who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The witness said he saw a man of Caucasion appearance, who appeared to be drug affected, had been “chasing” commuters as they sat in the waiting area.
“There was a lady and another gentleman who were waiting,” the witness said.
“The station staff brought the lady inside and the other gentleman just ran for his life.
The reckless man, the witness said, then went to his car and picked up an axe before returning and “striking the glass panels”.
“That’s when he started getting physically violent.
“He brought an axe with him – literally a big one and he started chasing some passengers who were sitting in the waiting room.
“If someone was in the way he would’ve definitely got them”.
The witness said the chaotic scenes were over within two to three minutes before police arrived.
A woman manning the ticket box window was also in tears, the witness added.
Victoria police spokeswoman Nikki Ladgrove confirmed the incident, saying said no one was injured and police had arrested a 45-year-old man.
“It is believed the man attended a Fairfield Street address and allegedly smashed a front window with an axe about 6.30am,” Ms Ladgrove said.
Police said a resident raised the alarm before the man allegedly fled to a nearby railway station and smashed another window.
Police arrived shortly after and arrested the man at the scene.
He has been charged and remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday 2 March.
Geoff Wright, a Clyde North resident, said he arrived at the station with his wife just minutes after the incident and saw police talking to a horrified commuter, who told officers she had seen a man brandishing an axe before fleeing the scene.
A shocked Mr Wright took photos of the wreckage including shards of glass on the floor.
He added his wife, who catches the train each morning, regularly saw “druggies” loitering around the station – and had decided to wear a personal alarm for her own safety.
“She’ll ring me if there are any problems and I’ll be there in a flash,” Mr Wright said.
PSOs were reportedly not on duty at the time of the Saturday morning incident.
