Ten people were injured, including two critically, when an 18-year-old driver lost control and crashed into a crowd lining the streets in Newcastle, Australia, to farewell the Knights rugby league team ahead of the National Rugby League grand final on Saturday, October 3.
Emergency services were called to Newcastle Link Road at the Transfield Drive roundabout at about 9:30 a.m. after a vehicle struck members of the public.
Supporters Line Newcastle Streets to Send Off Knights
Supporters had lined the streets in the Newcastle suburb of Wallsend on Saturday morning, October 3, to farewell the team bus before the club travelled south for Sunday’s National Rugby League grand final against the Sydney Roosters.
Witnesses described the atmosphere turning instantly from celebration to panic as emergency helicopters moved to the area and bystanders rushed to administer first aid.
Motorists were advised by authorities to check Live Traffic for the latest road closure information as Newcastle Link Road remained closed in both directions. Officers from the Newcastle City Police District attended the scene alongside Traffic and Highway Patrol officers and New South Wales Ambulance paramedics.
Driver Arrested as Ten Victims Go to Hospital
New South Wales police confirmed that a five-year-old girl and a 67-year-old man were in a critical condition, with the young girl having suffered a cardiac arrest, as paramedics treated ten injured people at the scene before transporting them to John Hunter Hospital.
Eight others sustained injuries, including a two-year-old girl, another five-year-old girl, women aged 31 and 63, and men aged 24, 25, 48, and 57. Three of the individuals have since been discharged from the hospital. The 18-year-old P-plate driver was arrested at the scene and taken to hospital for mandatory testing.
Driver Revved Car Before Careening into Crowd
New South Wales Police Assistant Commissioner David Waddell told reporters that the driver was driving erratically with two passengers in the vehicle before losing control and careening into the crowd.
“We had to get the three of them out of there because the crowd did turn on them.”
David Waddell, NSW Police Assistant Commissioner
Newcastle Mayor Gavin Morris told Australian broadcaster ABC that the driver appeared to be excited and revving the car as a supporter before losing control.
“It appears that he was revving the car in some form.”
Gavin Morris, Newcastle Mayor
Police confirmed that initial inquiries indicated the incident was not terrorism-related. New South Wales Police Commissioner Malcolm Lanyon also received acknowledgment for his leadership and support during the response.
Team Bus Diverted While Club Responds to Tragedy
Following the collision, the Newcastle Knights team bus was diverted via an alternate route before eventually departing the city for Sydney.
Knights chief executive Peter Parr released a statement offering the club’s support to the victims, their families, and everyone who witnessed the morning events.
NRL chief Peter V’landys also expressed deep sadness over the incident while working alongside police to understand the circumstances, and Knights captain Kalyn Ponga shared messages of solidarity with those affected in Wallsend.
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