A five-year-old girl remains in a critical but stable condition in an induced coma after a car struck Newcastle Knights supporters gathered to wave off the team bus in New South Wales. An 18-year-old P-plate driver has been charged over the crash, while fans recovering in hospital are expected to support the Knights in Sunday’s NRL grand final.
The incident happened at about 9.30am on Saturday, when the vehicle hit multiple people near the Transfield Drive roundabout on Newcastle Link Road in the Hunter region. The crowd was largely made up of families and children.
Police said 10 people were treated at the scene before being taken to hospital. At least seven remained at John Hunter Hospital, including the injured five-year-old girl.
A 67-year-old man who was initially in a critical condition is now described as serious but stable. Eight others, including a second five-year-old girl and a two-year-old girl, were initially in stable conditions.
The driver was taken to hospital for mandatory testing before being charged with nine offences, including dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, negligent driving and causing bodily harm by misconduct. He was refused bail and was due to appear in court on Sunday.
Assistant Commissioner Dave Waddell said two other people who had been in the car were escorted away from the scene after members of the crowd confronted them.
Police do not believe the crash was deliberate. Asked about reports that the vehicle had been driven erratically before the collision, Mr Waddell said the crash investigation unit would deal with the matter.
Newcastle Knights supporters face long recovery
Newcastle Knights chief executive Peter Parr expressed concern for those affected before the side’s match against the Roosters.
“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.
“Newcastle is a strong community. We have seen that strength throughout this week, and today we need to draw on it again with compassion, care and support for those who need it most.”
Accounts of the crash have begun to emerge from those caught up in it. Chris Clancy, who suffered a broken bone, was standing in the crowd with two friends and later posted “Up the Knights” on Instagram.
Several fundraisers were launched by friends and relatives of injured supporters. One concerns the five-year-old girl, who has undergone multiple operations, while her mother was also seriously injured and is expected to require further surgery and a lengthy recovery.
The fundraising appeal said the mother and child faced ongoing operations, hospital stays and rehabilitation.
