The driver accused of mowing down pedestrians in Melbourne's CBD is expected to face a murder charge following the death of an 83-year-old victim.
Northcote man Antonios (Anton) Crocaris died in hospital late on Friday night, eight days after he and 17 other people were hit by a car that ploughed through pedestrians on the corner of Flinders and Elizabeth Streets.
Mr Crocaris' shattered family labelled him "our hero".
"Our father Anton had his life cruelly taken away in a senseless act of violence," the family said in a statement on Saturday.
"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 is the first fatality from the December 21 attack, and his family thanked those who helped him after he was struck.
Six victims remain in hospital.
The accused driver, 32-year-old Saeed Noori, has already been charged with 18 counts of attempted murder.
Police expect to upgrade one of those to murder over the coming days.
Noori is an Afghan refugee and Australian citizen with known mental health and drug problems.
The rampage was the second fatal car attack in Melbourne in 2017.
Six people died and dozens were injured in January when 27-year-old Dimitrious Gargasoulas allegedly drove through Bourke Street Mall.
Gargasoulas has pleaded not guilty and is set to return to court in March.
Several streets around Federations Square and parts of Flinders Street will be closed off during New Year's Eve celebrations to help protect revellers from another potential attack.
