An 18-year-old P-plate driver was arrested after crashing a gold BMW into a crowd of Newcastle Knights supporters on Saturday morning. The collision occurred at around 9:30 a.m. along Newcastle Link Road in Wallsend. It left ten people injured during a grand final send-off parade.
Thousands of fans had gathered at the roundabout on Transfield Avenue. They were cheering for the team bus as it traveled toward Olympic Park ahead of the NRL Grand Final. According to New South Wales Police, the vehicle was driving erratically before it struck people standing on the pavement.
Ten Injured Including Children and Elderly Fans
Emergency services responded swiftly to the scene. They treated ten individuals for a range of injuries before transporting them to John Hunter Hospital. Among the injured are a five-year-old girl and a 67-year-old man. Both remain in critical condition.
Eight other victims were listed in stable condition. This group includes another five-year-old girl, a two-year-old girl, and adults ranging in age from 25 to 63. Bystanders and good Samaritans provided immediate first aid and CPR to the victims before paramedics arrived.
Assistant Commissioner David Waddell noted that two passengers inside the gold BMW had to be extracted by authorities. This action protected them from the mounting anger of the surrounding crowd. The teenage driver was taken into custody for mandatory drug and alcohol testing.
Authorities Confirm No Terror Link
Law enforcement officials quickly confirmed that the collision was not a targeted or terror-related incident. Newcastle Lord Mayor Gavin Morris stated that the driver was reportedly a local Knights supporter who had joined the celebrations.
"It appears that he was revving the car in some form. He was excited. He was a supporter," Morris told ABC News. "He was there for the joy of the moment as well. And somehow, yes, he has lost control of the car."
NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley condemned the crash as a preventable tragedy resulting from a split-second decision. Leaders including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns offered their support to the victims and the wider Newcastle community following the devastating event.
