Bystanders have been hailed for their bravery after tackling a gun-wielding driver involved in an apparent road rage incident in Melbourne.

It began after a collision between a black ute and a white Volkswagen in Doncaster, in Melbourne’s east, about 11am on Monday.

“The male has then gotten out of the black ute in a highly agitated state and he has become quite irrational with the driver of the other vehicle,” Detective Senior Sergeant Sean Audley said.

Witnesses say the 32-year-old ute driver tried to drag the woman driver from her vehicle after the crash at the intersection of Williamsons Road and Manningham Road. They believe he wanted to take her car to flee the scene.

“That’s when the intervention of those brave citizens came into effect and he was held to the ground,” Audley said.

As the ute driver was being pinned to the ground by several passersby, he allegedly reached into a bag nearby and grabbed what appeared to be a small revolver. He fired it, although it’s not clear in which direction.

“That’s when we wrestled him to the ground, gun went off – he had a little gun on him,” one driver told the ABC.

“There was probably five of us, he was like Superman – all good, do what we could do.”

Police say the passersby continued to hold the 32-year-old down, even after the gunshot.

“They held him down until they were able to move [the bag] away from him. Very brave citizens,” Audley said.

The 32-year-old driver sustained minor injuries in the crash. He was arrested and remains in police custody.

The woman in the white Volkswagen was taken to hospital as a precaution. No one else was injured.

Police seized the gun at the scene.

The incident happened outside a primary school, which was forced into lockdown. Children were lined up and escorted off the school grounds by teachers.

Williamsons Road was closed northbound between Doncaster Road and Manningham Road after the incident. It reopened earlier on Monday afternoon, although there were lengthy traffic delays.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au