Vehicle Crashes Into Crowd North Of Sydney, Injuring Nine People In Australia Incident

Ten people were injured after a car crashed into a crowd of Newcastle Knights fans gathered in the Australian city of Newcastle on Saturday to farewell the rugby league team ahead of Sunday's National Rugby League (NRL) grand final. The incident occurred at about 9:30 am local time near the Transfield Drive roundabout on Newcastle Link Road in the suburb of Wallsend, around 110 km north of Sydney. New South Wales Police said the driver, an 18-year-old man, was arrested at the scene as emergency services responded to the crash.

Two of the injured, a five-year-old girl and a 67-year-old man, were in critical condition, while eight others were reported to be stable. The injured included two other young children, a five-year-old girl and a two-year-old girl. Several people were treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital. The scale of the emergency response included multiple ambulances and helicopters, while Newcastle Link Road was closed in both directions as police began investigating the circumstances of the crash.

The crowd had gathered along local streets to see off the Newcastle Knights, who were due to travel to Sydney for Sunday's NRL grand final. The team had attracted large crowds of supporters in Newcastle ahead of the match, and fans had lined the planned procession route to farewell the players. Following the crash, the Knights' team bus was diverted to an alternative route. Police also urged members of the public to leave the area safely and keep the roads clear so emergency services and traffic-management crews could operate.

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Police said the driver was an 18-year-old P-plater and was taken for mandatory drug and alcohol testing after his arrest. Assistant Commissioner David Waddell said initial information indicated that the driver had been driving erratically before losing control of the vehicle and entering the crowd. Two passengers were also reportedly in the car, with police removing them from the scene after an angry crowd confronted those involved. Authorities said the incident was not believed to be targeted or terrorism-related, while an investigation into the circumstances remained underway.

Newcastle Mayor Gavin Morris said early information suggested the driver had been revving the vehicle before losing control. Witnesses described seeing the car move into the crowd, prompting people nearby to rush to assist those who had been hit. Emergency workers and members of the public provided first aid at the scene. Police praised those who assisted the injured as emergency crews arrived and began treating victims before transporting them to hospital.

The crash disrupted the planned farewell for the Newcastle Knights but did not prevent the team from continuing its journey to Sydney. The Knights expressed concern for those affected, while authorities asked supporters to disperse from the area to allow emergency services to work. The incident occurred a day before the Knights were scheduled to play in the NRL grand final, turning what had been planned as a major show of support for the team into an emergency response. Police said inquiries into the crash were continuing.

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