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A car struck a crowd of Newcastle Knights supporters at Wallsend, injuring 10 people including three young girls, with two in critical condition. The 18-year-old P-plate driver was arrested at the scene.
A car has struck a crowd of Newcastle Knights supporters at Wallsend, injuring 10 people including three young girls, police say. The driver, an 18-year-old on his P-plates, was arrested at the scene and taken to hospital for mandatory testing.
Two people remain in critical condition: a five-year-old girl and a 67-year-old man, according to NSW Police. One child injured in the crash is in a critical condition. Of the nine initially treated, one was transferred in critical condition, one was critical but stable, and the remainder were stable. NSW Ambulance confirmed nine people were treated and transported to John Hunter Hospital after the car crashed into crowds farewelling the Newcastle Knights team bus before Sunday's NRL grand final.
Police Investigate Wallsend Crowd Crash
Police do not believe the incident was targeted and are investigating whether the driver lost control. The crowd had gathered along roads in Wallsend, Newcastle, to see the team off as the players made their way to Sydney for the NRL grand final. Supporters arrived early, expecting the Knights team bus to pass by around 10am. Emergency services were summoned to Newcastle Link Road at Wallsend at around 9.30am.
A car travelling on Newcastle Link Road collided with the crowd of supporters. Emergency services, including four helicopters and 15 ambulances, raced to the scene. Earlier reports said paramedics from 10 ambulances and three helicopters were treating people at the scene. Police are also at the scene.
Witness Accounts of the Crash
Witness Dylan Prior told ABC News he was at the scene with his two young daughters and his mother. They had arrived at 8:30am. He said the mood was upbeat, with everyone there, cheering and beeping. But at around 9:30am, he said he was shocked to see the accident unfold.
A BMW came around the corner, it was revving a bit, and it ran into a group of people, Mr Prior said. We have had a bit of rain here, and weather played a part in it, he said. I saw some young kids go flying, and people running to help the victims. Everyone was yelling and hysterical, yelling at the driver.
They were screaming for help. Mr Prior said there was only one police officer on site, and he quickly joined the effort to help the victims. But I wish there had been more police around. This could have been avoided if more police were in sight, he said.
The mood is very deflated at the moment. I cannot help but think of the victims. Newcastle Mayor Gavin Morris told ABC News the driver of the vehicle was reportedly revving his engine before the crash. He was excited, he was a supporter, he was a fan, he was there for the joy of the moment as well, he said.
Somehow, yes, he has lost control of the car. Morris said children are among those injured, and a number of individuals are believed to be in a critical condition. It's just been a magical week of positivity and support, and we've all come together.
So it was an absolute shock to hear the news this morning, and yeah, the information has been coming through, you know, over the last 30, 40 minutes now, so it's 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.
Newcastle Knights Bus Diversion
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. The driver was arrested at the scene. Authorities have urged witnesses to come forward as investigations continue into how the car struck the crowd. The Newcastle Knights said in a post to social media: Due to a major incident, the team bus has been diverted from the planned route.
The team was making its way into Sydney for the NRL grand final. NSW Premier Chris Minns said in a statement on social media: It is heartbreaking to see fans who were sending off their grand final team involved in such a terrible incident. My thoughts are with the families and friends of loved ones who have been involved or injured.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has thanked emergency services for their work in Newcastle this morning, confirming that he has spoken with NSW Premier Chris Minns about the incident. My thoughts are with everyone injured or involved in the horrible incident this morning in Newcastle. I want to acknowledge and thank emergency services and police for responding so quickly, and their ongoing work in treating the injured, Albanese said.
Rugby league brings people together, and this should have been a weekend of excitement and pride for Newcastle fans. I have spoken to the NSW Premier Chris Minns, and offered our support. Australian Rugby League Commission executive chairman Peter V'landys has expressed sadness over the horror crash and says his thoughts are with the injured before Sunday's NRL Grand Final. We're deeply saddened by the incident near Wallsend, V'landys said.
We're currently working with police to understand the circumstances. Our thoughts are very much with those injured and anyone impacted by the events, not to mention the entire Knights community who have come together in jubilation to support their team. Asked if the incident would impact on the plans for the grand final in Sydney on Sunday night, V'landys said: We're just concerned about the victims at the moment, that's all we're focusing on.
Fans Left in Shock
Herald's chief sports reporter Tom Decent, who was nearby interviewing fans when the crash happened, says there is real shock among fans. He says the team farewell was supposed to be a significant moment for Newcastle; ambulance and police sirens is not what people would have expected. He spoke to Knights fan Jed Partridge, 29, who had arrived at 8.20am to join thousands of others in waving off the team bus.
We were on the side of the road, just waiting. Everyone was happy and then there was a real flurry of cop cars, ambos and rescue cars shooting past. Video from the scene shows a dated and damaged BMW sitting just off the road, with tyres that look extremely worn. The incident has cast a shadow over what was meant to be a celebratory send-off for the team ahead of the grand final.
SBSNews 
abcnews:Live: Chaos at grand final gathering as car hits crowd, driver arrested 
brisbanetimes:Newcastle car crash LIVE updates: driver arrested, multiple people injured after vehicle crashes into crowd of Knights fans in WallsendThis story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
Newcastle Newcastle Knights Wallsend Car Crash NSW Police Wallsend Car Crash NSW Ambulance NRL Grand Final Farewell Driver Arrested Wallsend Crash NRL Grand Final Car Hits Crowd Newcastle Knights Crash Wallsend Car Incident John Hunter Hospital NSW Police Investigation Newcastle Knights Fans Crash NRL Grand Final Send-Off John Hunter Hospital Injuries
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