Ten people, including three young girls, have been injured after a car crashed into Newcastle Knights fans gathered in Wallsend to farewell the rugby league team before Sunday’s grand final.
The crowd had assembled on Newcastle Link Road near the Transfield Drive roundabout at about 9.30am on Saturday, as thousands lined the route for the team bus travelling to Sydney.
A five-year-old girl remained in a critical condition at Newcastle’s John Hunter Hospital on Saturday evening. One other injured person was in a serious but stable condition, while five were stable and three had been discharged.
Police investigate Newcastle Knights fans crash
New South Wales Police said the BMW struck the crowd before a large emergency response involving Newcastle City Police District officers, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command officers and paramedics.
The 18-year-old driver, who was on provisional plates, was arrested at the scene and taken to hospital for mandatory drug and alcohol testing. Police said they did not believe the incident was targeted or terror-related and were investigating whether he lost control of the vehicle.
Police said the car had been driven “erratically” and that the driver was expected to be charged over the crash this weekend. Two other people in the vehicle were also removed from the scene after witnesses became hostile.
Assistant Commissioner David Waddell said: “We had to get the three of them out of there because the crowd did turn on them.”
Newcastle mayor Gavin Morris said the driver was believed to be a Newcastle Knights supporter and had allegedly lost control of the vehicle.
“It is under investigation, and the young driver is now with police, so it appears that he was revving the car in some form. He was excited. He was a supporter. He was, you know, a fan,” Mr Morris told ABC television.
Newcastle Knights respond to injured fans
Knights captain Kalyn Ponga said the club’s thoughts were with those affected and their families.
“Our hearts are with everyone affected in Wallsend this morning,” he said. “We’re thinking of you, your families and everyone in our Newcastle community. Sending our love and support x.”
Chief executive Peter Parr thanked the fans, emergency responders, police and the medical staff treating those injured at John Hunter Hospital.
“We want to thank our incredible fans for the passion and support they showed our team this morning. The scenes across Newcastle demonstrated once again what this football club means to our community,” he said.
The club said the matter was now for NSW Police and declined to comment further as the team arrived in Sydney.
Australian Rugby League Commission executive chairman Peter V’landys said he was deeply saddened by the incident and that the organisation was focused on the victims.
Tributes from political leaders
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese thanked police and emergency services for their swift response, saying rugby league should have made the weekend “one of excitement and pride for Newcastle fans”.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said it was heartbreaking that supporters sending off their grand final team had been caught up in the crash, while Mr Morris said the community was “heartbroken” and would need to come together in the aftermath.
