Ten people, including three children, sustained injuries on Saturday after an 18-year-old motorist drove his car into a crowd of supporters in Newcastle, Australia. The gathering had formed along the streets to send off the Newcastle Knights rugby league team ahead of their grand final match against the Sydney Roosters in Sydney.
New South Wales police confirmed that two of the victims-a five-year-old girl and a 67-year-old man-sustained severe injuries and remain in critical condition at a local hospital. The eight remaining victims, which include another five-year-old girl and a two-year-old girl alongside adults aged between 24 and 63, are listed in stable condition.
Incident Details and Police Response
The collision occurred at approximately 9:30 a.m. local time on Newcastle Link Road, roughly 100 miles (160 kilometers) north of Sydney. Thousands of fans had lined the route to cheer for the team bus. According to New South Wales Assistant Police Commissioner David Waddell, the teenage driver appeared to be operating the vehicle erratically before losing control.
Law enforcement officers arrested the 18-year-old male driver at the scene. He was subsequently taken to a police station following mandatory drug and alcohol testing. Authorities explicitly stated that the collision is not being treated as an act of terrorism.
“Police have commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, with initial inquiries indicating it is not believed to be terror related,” New South Wales police said in a public statement.
Local Officials and Team Reactions
Newcastle Lord Mayor Gavin Morris stated that the young driver was apparently an enthusiastic fan attempting to partake in the pre-match celebrations before losing control of the vehicle.
“He was revving the car, he was excited, he was a supporter, he was there for the joy of the moment,” Morris told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). “Somehow he lost control of the car … and he’s gone into the crowd.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese shared his condolences via social media, emphasizing the unifying nature of rugby league in the country. New South Wales Minister for Police and Counterterrorism Yasmin Catley categorized the event as a preventable tragedy, while emergency services deployed numerous ambulances and three rescue helicopters to manage the mass-casualty scene.
Following the crash, the Newcastle Knights issued a brief statement expressing solidarity with the victims: “Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by the incident, including those at the scene and their families.” For safety reasons, the team bus ultimately departed for Sydney using an alternate route.
