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Chris Clancy, 48, suffered multiple fractures when a P-plater lost control of a BMW and hit Knights supporters in Wallsend. He remains in John Hunter Hospital awaiting surgery ahead of Sunday's grand final.
Chris Clancy, a 48-year-old Knights supporter, has spoken from his hospital bed about the moment an out-of-control BMW ploughed into him and other fans. He said the car came at him so fast he had no time to jump aside and he thought he was going to die.
Clancy Hospital Injuries
Clancy is an assistant manager at Kennards Hire at Heatherbrae and a foundation Knights supporter. He is at John Hunter Hospital nursing a broken left collarbone, a fracture in his right foot, some broken ribs and some small spinal fractures. He was due to undergo surgery on Saturday night or Sunday. He has asked doctors to finish their work before the grand final kick-off at 7.30pm on Sunday.
Clancy was among tens of thousands of Knights supporters lining the streets to farewell the team as it drove to Sydney on Saturday morning. He and his two nephews were waiting on Newcastle Link Road near the Transfield Drive roundabout in Wallsend. Suddenly, he saw a car driven by a P-plater speed up as it drove through a roundabout. The guy that was driving the car put his foot down when he got to the roundabout, he said.
He put his foot down to show off. The driver lost control. The road was wet; it had been raining. I didn't have time to get out of the way, Clancy said.
BMW Crash on Newcastle Link
No-one had time to move, it happened so fast. Most cars had been slowing down and beeping at supporters as they drove past.
Then this idiot has done that and ruined our day, he said. I honestly thought when the car was coming towards me that I was dead. I thought I was going to die. The car was coming right at me.
Clancy said he was hit by the front of the BMW. His foot was injured after the initial impact, as the driver tried to move the car. I was conscious, I was on the ground, he said. About half a dozen people helped me up and put me on a seat.
A lady by the name of Leanne stayed with me and my nephews. She deserves a big thanks. My nephew has autism and was more scared than anything; she stayed with us to make sure we were OK. I am angry.
Emergency Response and Nephews
It was supposed to be good day. It's left me lying here in the hospital bed, waiting to get up. A police car was parked nearby to block traffic and officers reacted quickly. Ambulance and fire trucks arrived in minutes.
One of Clancy's nephews sustained a graze to his left elbow, but has been discharged and intended to get to the final. His other nephew has a graze and bruising but was likely to be discharged soon. When asked whether he had a message for the Newcastle players, he urged them to play for the town. It will be tough for them, but do what they've always done and do it for the town, he said.
I believe they can win. Regardless of whether they win or lose, they've done the town proud. Since 1988, I've been through 1997 2001, I've been with them since they came in. I've watched every Knights game no matter when it's on.
Grand Final Recovery Wishes
I told when they operate they have to make sure that I'm back up to watch the grand final. Star Knights player Kalyn Ponga responded to his Instagram post, saying All the best with recovery mate! The team and community are with yas.
theage
brisbanetimes:This story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
Newcastle Knights Car Crash Grand Final John Hunter Hospital
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