An 18-year-old driver is expected to be charged after a convertible allegedly crashed into Newcastle Knights fans gathered in Wallsend, Australia, to farewell the team ahead of the NRL grand final.
Police allege the P-plater was driving erratically before losing control at a roundabout on Newcastle Link Road at about 9.30am on Saturday. Hundreds of supporters were standing by the roadside when the crash happened.
Ten people were treated at the scene and taken to hospital. A five-year-old girl and a 67-year-old man were in critical condition and fighting for their lives, while the other eight injured people, aged between two and 63, were reported to be stable.
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner David Waddell said the teenager and two passengers were taken from the scene by Highway Patrol officers after bystanders had “turned against them”.
“We believe he was driving erratically, lost control of the vehicle and then gone into the crowd,” Mr Waddell said.
The teenager was initially taken to hospital for mandatory testing before being released and transported to a police station. Charges were expected to be laid later on Saturday, with Mr Waddell saying he believed the teenager had previously been known to police.
Mr Waddell praised members of the public who stepped in to help those injured before emergency services arrived.
“It made our job … a lot easier as a result,” he said. “It ripples through the community, these sort of events, and there’s lots of people now involved in this incident as a result.”
NSW Police and Counter-terrorism Minister Yasmin Catley said the crash showed how a split-second decision could affect many lives.
“That is what has happened here today,” Ms Catley said. “So many people have been affected by one person’s split-decision.”
She said the incident “needn’t have happened” and urged motorists to remember their responsibility to keep passengers, pedestrians and other road users safe.
The road closure forced the Knights to change their planned route, leaving hundreds of supporters unable to see the team off. Police asked people to disperse safely and keep the roads clear for emergency services and traffic management.
Knights players Kalyn Ponga and Dane Gagai posted messages of support for those affected by the crash.
“Our hearts are with everyone affected in Wallsend this morning,” Ponga wrote. “We’re thinking of you, your families and everyone in our Newcastle community. Sending our love and support.”
Gagai said: “Our hearts go out to the families impacted by this situation. Thoughts and prayers are with you.”
NSW Premier Chris Minns described it as “heartbreaking” that fans sending off their grand final team had been caught up in the incident. He thanked police and ambulance crews responding to the crash and urged people travelling to Sydney to drive carefully.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the weekend should have been one of “excitement and pride” for Newcastle supporters and acknowledged the emergency services dealing with the aftermath.
The crash cast a pall over Newcastle’s remarkable 2026 season, with the Knights reaching the grand final under new coach Justin Holbrook after finishing last the previous year. The club last won the premiership in 2001.
