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Newcastle Knights supporters lining the road to see off the team were involved in a serious crash when an out-of-control BMW hit 10 people. Three young girls and a 67-year-old man were among those critically injured, prompting police to divert the team bus to Sydney for the 2026 grand final against the Roosters.
For kilometre after kilometre, Knights fans were everywhere. Families stood on nature strips. Kids wore red, white and blue jerseys and waved hand-made signs. Car horns blared.
Chairs were lined up along the road, waiting for a glimpse of the Knights’ coach as it made its way to Sydney with the players and the hopes of an entire city on board. After a breakfast rich with Knights legends from the 1997 and 2001 premiership-winning teams, the 2026 grand final team boarded the bus, bound for Sydney for tomorrow night’s clash with the Roosters.
At 9.27am, the chant of “Newcastle” rang out as the coach pulled away from the curb. Newcastle Knights supporters see off their team on Saturday morning. The throng of supporters lining the road out of town raised their flags as they awaited a glimpse of their heroes. Many never saw them.
At about 9.30am, an out-of-control BMW slammed into spectators on Newcastle Link Road. Footage posted on social media shows the car speeding around a bend and crossing lane markings before the video cuts out. The car hit 10 people, including three young girls – two aged five, one aged two. One of the five-year-olds and a 67-year-old man are in a critical condition.
Slowly, excitement gave way to confusion. Whispers spread along the road that something horrific had happened. Knights players were told their bus would have to be diverted as police cars and ambulances screamed through Newcastle. One Knights official aboard the bus was close to tears when contacted by this masthead.
Parents began explaining to their children that the Knights weren’t coming past after all. Some kids burst into tears. Others found it hard to understand why. With thousands of people trying to check their phones, reception became difficult and information was scarce.
The accident site at Wallsend. Ambulance spokesperson Tim Troon said when ambulances arrived “there were lots of people that were caring for patients at the time, and there was a lot of chaos”. Every police car that appeared initially brought excitement with fans assuming it was part of the Knights’ escort. Instead, the cars kept racing past them towards a far grimmer scene.
Knights fan Jed Partridge, 29, was among the many struggling to comprehend the accident, standing in disbelief at a cricket field watching helicopters transport injured victims to hospital.
“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,” he said.
“ such a positive thing could quickly turn to this, it’s hard to wrap your head around, especially as apparently a little girl has been involved. Sitthixay Ditthavong“It was eerie … such a positive thing could quickly turn to this. It’s hard to wrap your head around. ”Advertisement By the time the Knights reached Sydney, statements had been issued by NSW Premier Chris Minns and ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys.
Hours earlier, coach Justin Holbrook had been asked how his players would remain focused amid the extraordinary attention and adulation that had engulfed them all week. He was confident they would be fine. The Newcastle Knights walk from the Pullman Hotel at Sydney Olympic Park to Accor Stadium for their final captain’s run training session before tomorrow’s grand final. The Knights had left home as grand final underdogs carrying the hopes of a rugby league-mad city.
They arrived in Sydney carrying something far heavier. Instagram From what must be a shell-shocked team in Sydney, Knights’ captain Kalyn Ponga sent his love.
“We’re thinking of you, your families and everyone in our Newcastle community,” he wrote. “Sending our love and support x. ”Remove items from your
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