+34
A driver was arrested after losing control of a car and hitting Newcastle Knights fans in Wallsend, injuring nine people, including children. Two are in critical condition at John Hunter Hospital.
A driver has been arrested after a car crash ed into a crowd of Newcastle Knights fans in Wallsend on Saturday morning, injuring nine people, including children.
Ambulance response and driver arrest
Two people are in critical condition at John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle. One was transferred in critical condition, one was critical but stable, and the remaining injured were in stable condition, NSW Ambulance confirmed. The incident happened about 9.30am on Newcastle Link Road at the Transfield Drive roundabout. Nine people were treated and transported to hospital after the car crashed into crowds farewelling the Newcastle Knights team bus.
NSW Ambulance confirmed 10 ambulance crews and three helicopters were sent to the scene. Police said officers attached to Newcastle City Police District are on scene, assisted by Traffic and Highway Patrol Command officers and NSW Ambulance paramedics. The driver was arrested at the scene. Newcastle Mayor Gavin Morris said the driver was believed to be a fan of the Newcastle Knights who allegedly lost control of their vehicle.
I have spoken to the authorities, and 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 a fan, Morris told ABC television.
He was there for the joy of the moment as well. And somehow, yes, he has lost control of the car. And the witnesses are also reporting to police at the moment, so it is under investigation, Morris said. It appears that he has lost control of the car, and he has gone into the crowd.
Mayor describes chaotic crowd crash
And I believe about nine were injured, which sadly also included children. And he has gone sideways into the crowd. So that is the information that we have at this point. Morris confirmed a statement from federal MP Dan Repacholi that the incident is believed to have occurred after a driver lost control of their vehicle.
Repacholi also said the major road was closed to allow helicopters to land. Newcastle Mayor Gavin Morris said children are among those injured, and a number of individuals are believed to be in a critical condition. It has just been a magical week of positivity and support, and we have all come together.
So it was an absolute shock to hear the news this morning, and the information has been coming through over the last 30, 40 minutes now, so it is really upsetting, Morris told ABC television. Our thoughts, first of all, go to the families of those that are injured. We believe that a number of them are critical, and including children, he said.
Road closure and team bus diversion
Newcastle Link Road is closed in both directions and is expected to remain closed for some time while inquiries continue. Police advised the public to avoid Newcastle Link Road, Wallsend, and to follow the advice of emergency services. Local MP Sonia Hornery said she had just become aware of a vehicle colliding with pedestrians on Newcastle Link Road while Knights fans were there to cheer on the team coach. Emergency services are on site, she said.
Newcastle Link Road is closed in both directions. Please avoid the area. I hope everyone involved is ok, she said. The first video from the scene shows a dated and damaged BMW sitting just off the road.
The vehicle tyres look extremely worn. There appears to be a child white shoe just in front of the car on the pavement. Newcastle Knights said due to a major incident, the team bus heading to Sydney for the grand final against the Sydney Roosters had been diverted from the planned route. We apologise to anybody who was waiting and missed the boys, but public safety is our priority, the Knights said in a social media post.
The team bus had now departed Newcastle. Police acknowledged 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. NSW Premier Chris Minns released a statement about the incident and is being briefed on the details as they emerge.
Community rallies after Newcastle tragedy
It is heartbreaking to see fans who were sending off their grand final team involved in such a terrible incident, Minns said. My thoughts are with the families and friends of loved ones who have been involved or injured in the crash. I also want to thank emergency services including police and ambulance who are responding to this tragedy.
We have seen how this grand final has brought Newcastle together, and I hope the whole community remains united as we continue to respond. Images from the scene show hundreds of people lining the street to cheer on their team, who instead became witnesses to the incident. Fans had gathered ahead of the grand final with the Roosters on Sunday.
Newcastle residents said helicopters were whirring overhead, and the incident had blocked the Newcastle Link Road, the major route to Sydney. Locals reported on social media that they were stuck in traffic on the Link Road, with multiple helicopters overhead and over 30 emergency responders. The Herald chief sports reporter Tom Decent was nearby interviewing fans when the incident happened. Word started coming through that many people had been hit by a car and were severely injured.
There are thousands and thousands of Knights fans on the street waiting to watch their heroes come through on the team, but that is now not happening, Decent said. That excitement has turned to confusion and concern for their fellow fans. It is chaos here at the moment. People have realised something very serious has happened, he said.
7NewsSydney 
brisbanetimes:Multiple people injured after car crashes into Newcastle Knights fans 
abcnews:Breaking: Multiple injuries after car hits crowd of Knights supporters in Newcastle 
smh:Newcastle crash LIVE updates: Multiple injuries after car hits crowd 
theage:Multiple people injured after car crashes into Newcastle Knights fansThis story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
Newcastle Knights Car Crash NRL Grand Final Wallsend Emergency Services Wallsend Car Crash Newcastle Link Road Pedestrian Injuries NSW Ambulance Driver Arrested Grand Final Team Bus Newcastle Knights Fans Crash Wallsend Car Incident Newcastle Link Road Closure NSW Ambulance Response John Hunter Hospital Critical Condition
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Newcastle Knights Fans Celebrate 2026 Grand Final Run with Tattoos and Blue SausagesNewcastle fans are showing immense support for their team ahead of the 2026 NRL grand final against the Sydney Roosters. Local tattoo artists are overwhelmed with bookings for commemorative designs, while community businesses are serving blue food-dyed sausages to rally support for the Knights in their quest for a first premiership in 25 years.
Read more »
Will there be a fairytale ending for the Newcastle Knights?Sarah Ferguson presents Australia's premier daily current affairs program, delivering agenda-setting public affairs journalism and interviews that hold the powerful to account. Plus political analysis from Laura Tingle.
Read more »
Nine injured as car hits Newcastle Knights fans before NRL grand finalA car struck a crowd of Newcastle Knights supporters in Wallsend on Saturday morning, injuring nine people and forcing the team bus to divert. The driver was arrested at the scene.
Read more »