Car Crashes Into Knights Supporters in Newcastle

Ten people were injured after a car struck a crowd of Newcastle Knights supporters gathered on Newcastle Link Road in Wallsend for a farewell procession before the team’s grand final. A five-year-old girl and a 67-year-old man were reported in critical condition, while a two-year-old girl was also among those taken to John Hunter Hospital. NSW Ambulance said one person was critical, another was critical but stable, and seven others were in stable condition. The article does not clarify the difference between these figures and the report that ten people were injured. The 18-year-old P-plate driver was arrested at the scene. Police said the BMW had been driven erratically before the driver lost control, and that the crash was not a targeted attack. The driver underwent drug and alcohol testing at hospital and was taken to a police station; police said he was likely to be charged later that day. The Crash Investigations Unit is examining the incident, and Newcastle Link Road was closed in both directions. Two other people were removed from the car after onlookers turned on them. Witness Dylan Prior said the car revved before hitting the crowd in wet conditions. He described people rushing to help and called the scene chaotic, while also questioning whether more police should have been present. Supporters at the scene provided first aid and CPR, which Assistant Commissioner David Waddell acknowledged. The Knights diverted their team bus and expressed concern for those affected. Captain Kaylan Ponga, NSW officials, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Newcastle Mayor Gavin Morris and ARLC chairman Peter V’landys also offered support or condolences. The article describes a day intended to celebrate the team that instead became a major emergency response, with public safety and care for the injured at the forefront.

A car struck a crowd of Newcastle Knights supporters gathered in Wallsend on Saturday morning, injuring 10 people. According to witnesses, the BMW convertible’s driver had been revving the engine before allegedly losing control and hitting the group. An 18-year-old P-plate driver was arrested at the scene. Police said two other people were in the car and had to be removed because the crowd turned on them. Assistant Commissioner David Waddell said the driver was at a police station and would likely be charged later that day. Detectives are also investigating whether any other offences occurred at the scene. A five-year-old girl and a 67-year-old man remained in critical condition at John Hunter Hospital. The other injured people’s conditions were not specified in the provided updates. Witnesses and police described members of the crowd giving first aid, including CPR. The supporters had gathered to cheer the Knights as the team travelled to Sydney for Sunday’s NRL grand final against the Sydney Roosters. The bus was diverted after the crash and, according to the live-blog recap, later arrived in Sydney. Supporter Carolyn Clark described a celebratory atmosphere that changed abruptly as news of the accident spread, prompting people to leave. Police Minister Yasmin Catley and NSW Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison called the crash a preventable tragedy and urged responsible driving. Opposition leader Angus Taylor, NRL executive chair Peter V’landys and Knights captain Kalyn Ponga also expressed concern and support for those affected. Police were investigating the scene as the live coverage continued.

A car drove into a crowd of rugby league supporters in Newcastle, in Australia’s New South Wales state, injuring 10 people, including three children. The crowd had gathered to farewell the local team, the Newcastle Knights, before their grand final against the Sydney Roosters on Sunday. New South Wales police said two people—a five-year-old girl and a 67-year-old man—were in critical condition. The other eight injured people were in stable condition in hospital. Police arrested the 18-year-old driver and said they were investigating how the crash occurred. They did not believe the incident was related to terrorism. Newcastle Lord Mayor Gavin Morris said the driver was a rugby league supporter who had lost control of his vehicle. Speaking to ABC, Morris described the driver as excited and revving the car before it went into the crowd. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed concern for those injured and involved. He noted that rugby league brings people together and said the incident had disrupted what should have been a weekend of excitement and pride for Newcastle fans.

A car struck a crowd of rugby league supporters in Newcastle, in eastern Australia, on Saturday, injuring at least 10 people. The fans had gathered in the Wallsend suburb to cheer on the Newcastle Knights as the team departed for the National Rugby League grand final against the Sydney Roosters, scheduled to take place in Sydney on Sunday. Authorities said several children were among the injured. Two people were in critical condition: a 5-year-old girl and a 67-year-old man. Local reports identified the driver as an 18-year-old man. Police arrested him and took him to hospital for mandatory testing. Newcastle Mayor Gavin Morris said the driver was a rugby supporter who appeared to lose control of his car while revving it amid the excitement. Morris described the vehicle entering the crowd, but the article does not report a confirmed explanation for how the crash occurred. Police are investigating. Initial inquiries indicated the incident was not related to terrorism. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the crash “horrible,” saying the weekend was meant to be a time of excitement and pride for Newcastle fans. The article reports no further details about the injured people or any charges against the driver.