An 18-year-old man accused of driving into Newcastle Knights fans has appeared in court after the crash left a little girl critically injured and nine other people hurt in Newcastle, Australia.
Indika Samarasinghe appeared before a magistrate on Sunday, a day after hundreds of supporters gathered beside the road to see the Knights leave for Sydney for the NRL grand final.
The victims were aged between two and 67. Most remained in hospital, while four people had been discharged.
A second five-year-old girl who was critically injured in the collision was reported to be in a serious but stable condition.
Police allege Samarasinghe lost control of the car while travelling through a roundabout on Newcastle Link Road in Wallsend at about 9.30am.
Footage taken before the crash appeared to show the driver travelling through the roundabout with one hand outside the vehicle. Witness Chris Clancy said the road was wet when the car lost control.
“The road was wet and he lost control and took us out,” Mr Clancy said. “I thought I wasn’t going to survive; I thought I was going to get killed.”
Police allege the P-plater was driving erratically before the car struck the crowd. His licence had been suspended in February and was suspended again after the crash, according to reports.
Samarasinghe faces three counts of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, three counts of negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and three counts of causing bodily harm by misconduct.
He did not apply for bail during Sunday’s hearing. His next court appearance is scheduled for 15 October.
Before then, he will undergo a health review approved by the magistrate because of his age and the seriousness of the alleged offences.
Fans reportedly surrounded the alleged driver in the moments after the car crashed into the group.
