Ten people have been injured, two critically, after a car crashed into a crowd of people in Newcastle waiting to farewell the Knights team bus before the NRL grand final.
New South Wales police said a five-year-old girl and a 67-year-old man were in a critical condition, with eight others in a stable condition after the crash on Saturday morning.
Those in a stable condition included a two-year-old girl and another five-year-old girl.
The injured were treated on the scene by NSW ambulance paramedics, before being taken to John Hunter hospital.
The P-plate driver was an 18-year-old man who was arrested at the scene and taken to hospital for mandatory testing, police said.
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The assistant commissioner David Waddell said there were reports the man was driving erratically before losing control and careening into the crowd. It was expected he would be charged later on Saturday.
The man had two others in the car with him.
“We had to get them out of there because the crowd did turn on them,” Waddell said.
The police minister, Yasmin Catley, said so many lives had been affected by a split-second decision, as she urged other drivers to take care over the NSW long weekend.
“We have already started Saturday morning with this devastation,” she said.
“Nobody can comprehend what has happened with this terrible tragedy.”
The roads minister, Jenny Aitchison, said the incident could have been worse, with more than 1,000 people gathered in the area where it occurred.
Emergency services were called to Newcastle Link Road at the Transfield Drive roundabout in Wallsend about 9.30am on Saturday after reports a vehicle struck multiple people in a crowd.
“Several people have been injured and are currently receiving treatment at the scene,” police said.
“Police have commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, with initial inquiries indicating it is not believed to be terror related.”
Gavin Morris, the mayor of Newcastle, told the ABC that the driver, who he said was a Knights fan, lost control while revving his car shortly before the team arrived.
“I’ve spoken to the authorities, a number of which, and look, first of all, it is under investigation, and the young driver is now with police, so it appears that he was revving the car in some form. He was excited. He was a supporter. He was, you know, a fan,” Morris said.
“It appears that he’s lost control of the car, and he’s gone … sideways into the crowd.”
Footage posted on social media appeared to show the car being driven quickly around a roundabout shortly before the crash.
Other images showed it had careened off the road soon afterwards.
A witness to the incident, Dylan Prior told ABC News that the car was “revving a bit” before it ran into a group of people.
“I saw some young kids go flying, and people running to help the victims,” he said.
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“Everyone was yelling and hysterical, yelling at the driver.
“They were screaming for help.”
The Newcastle Link Road was closed in both directions, leading to the diversion of the Knights grand final procession.
The club confirmed in an Instagram post that it had changed its route, apologising to fans who may have missed farewelling the team but saying “public safety is our priority”.
Police appealed for fans to leave the area.
“Police acknowledge many loyal supporters may have missed the opportunity to see the team and show their support.
“Members of the public are asked to safely disperse from the area and keep roadways clear to assist emergency services and traffic management efforts.
“Police thank the community for their patience, cooperation and assistance.”
The NSW premier, Chris Minns, said his thoughts were with the families and friends of those injured.
“It’s heartbreaking to see fans who were sending off their grand final team involved in such a terrible incident,” he said.
“We’ve seen how this grand final has brought Newcastle together, and I hope the whole community remains united as we continue to respond.”
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said he had spoken with Minns and offered the federal government’s support.
“My thoughts are with everyone injured or involved in the horrible incident this morning in Newcastle,” Albanese said in a statement.
“I want to acknowledge and thank emergency services and police for responding so quickly, and their ongoing work in treating the injured.
“Rugby league brings people together, and this should have been a weekend of excitement and pride for Newcastle fans.”