The alleged driver of the car which ploughed into a crowd of Newcastle Knights supporters has been charged.
Indika Bambrick Samarasinghe, 18, has been charged with three instances of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, three instances of negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and three instances of cause bodily harm by misconduct, according to court documents viewed by the ABC.
NSW Police said in a statement he has had his P1 Provisional license suspended and the vehicle was seized prior to undergoing forensic examination.
Mr Samarasinghe will appear in Newcastle Bail Court tomorrow.
Emergency services at the scene of a car crash at a Newcastle Knights supporters gathering today. (Newcastle Herald/Andrew Clysdale)
He was arrested at the scene after a car, police allege he was driving, crashed into a crowd at a roundabout on Newcastle Link Road, at Wallsend in Newcastle’s west at about 9.30am on October 3.
The crash injured ten people who were taken to John Hunter Hospital, including a 5-year-old girl who police say is in a critical but now stable condition..
A 67-year-old man was also injured and is in a serious but stable condition.
Police said four other people – a second 5-year-old girl, a 2-year-old girl, a 31-year-old woman and a 48-year-old man – remain hospitalised in stable conditions.
Three men – aged 24, 25 and 27 – along with a 63-year-old woman have been discharged from hospital.
Thousands gathered to send-off the Newcastle Knights ahead of their grand-final appearance at 7.30 October 4.
The Newcastle Knights team bus was due to pass through the area on its way to Sydney when police responded to reports of the crash.
Grand final send-off became ‘absolute tragedy’
The Knights bus diverted to a different route away from the procession of fans.
At the scene of the crash, Police Minister Yasmin Catley said “what happened is an absolute tragedy — a tragedy that needn’t have happened”.
Following the incident crowds shouted at Samarasinghe as he was bundled into a police car and driven away from the scene.
Two other people were removed from the car by authorities after the “crowd turned on them”.
Police said the two other passengers, both males aged 18 and 19, were not injured.
Helicopters landed on a nearby oval to help transport patients to hospital. (ABC News Piper Duffy)
Knights director of football Chris James made a brief statement when the team arrived in Sydney.
“The thoughts of everyone at our club are with those impacted by this event [including] their families and … those on scene,” he said.
CEO Peter Parr praised the efforts of first responders and the staff of John Hunter Hospital.
“What was meant to be a special morning for our community, thousands of Novocastrians coming together to farewell our team and show their support ahead of the Grand Final, has understandably turned into a distressing morning,” Mr Parr said.
Knights forward Phoenix Crossland also commented: “Thoughts are with you mate” on Clancy’s post. (Supplied)
Crash victim Chris Clancy shared his condition from within the hospital, giving a thumbs up from his hospital bed despite suffering a broken collarbone and possibly broken foot.
“I will be JJH [John Hunter Hospital] for a couple of days but will let you all know,” Mr Clancy said.
Newcastle Knights captain Kalyn Ponga saw Clancy’s post and told him “the team and community are with yas [sic]”.
“All the best with recovery mate,” Mr Ponga said.