A man has been arrested following an alleged attempted carjacking involving an axe during an eight-vehicle collision in Campbellfield, in Melbourne’s north, on Thursday morning.

Victoria Police said officers were called to the intersection of Sydney Road and Bolinda Road at approximately 7am on 22 October 2026 after receiving reports of a serious multi-vehicle crash.

During the response, police were told that one of the drivers involved in the collision, a 29-year-old man from Altona North, was allegedly carrying an axe and had attempted to steal another vehicle.

The incident prompted an investigation into both the collision and the alleged attempted carjacking.

Passers-by detain the suspect According to police, a vehicle struck the man during the incident. He was then detained by members of the public in a nearby side street until officers arrived and took him into custody.

The man sustained injuries that were described as non-life-threatening. He was transported to hospital under police guard.

Police confirmed that no other injuries were reported in connection with the incident. The circumstances surrounding the collision, the alleged attempted theft and the involvement of the axe remain under investigation.

The actions of the passers-by helped police secure the scene before the investigation could proceed. Authorities have not publicly identified the other drivers involved in the eight-vehicle collision.

Police investigate the circumstances Investigators are seeking information from witnesses who may have seen the collision or the events immediately afterwards. Police have also asked anyone with relevant footage to contact Crime Stoppers.

Footage from dashcams or nearby businesses may help investigators establish how the vehicles collided and what occurred before the alleged carjacking attempt.

The intersection is a significant road junction in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, and the involvement of multiple vehicles created a complex scene for emergency services.

Police have not released further details about the motive for the alleged attempted theft or confirmed the precise sequence of events that led to the collision. Legal proceedings The 29-year-old man was in hospital under police guard at the time of the ABC News report. The report did not specify whether formal charges had been laid.

Investigators will continue gathering evidence and witness accounts before determining any further action. Any charges would need to be considered through the court process, and the man is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

The incident highlights the risks that can arise when a road collision is accompanied by alleged weapon-related offending, as well as the importance of witness information in reconstructing events.