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An 18-year-old P-plate driver has been refused bail after allegedly striking 10 Newcastle Knights fans near a procession in Wallsend, Newcastle. The teenager was charged with three counts each of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, and causing bodily harm by misconduct. Ten people remain hospitalised, including a five-year-old girl and a 67-year-old man who were critically injured and are now in serious but stable conditions. The court was also told concerns had been raised about the accused teenager's mental health.
Sun 4 Oct 2026 at 12:51pmThe arrest of the driver who allegedly crashed into a crowd of Knights fans in NewcastleAn 18-year-old P-plate driver charged over a crash that injured 10 people in Newcastle has been refused bail.
Indika Bambrick Samarasinghe appeared before Newcastle Bail Court today where bail was formally refused. The Sydney teenager who was allegedly behind the wheel of a car that crashed into and injured 10 Newcastle Knights fans has been refused bail. Indika Bambrick Samarasinghe, 18, has been charged with three counts of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, three counts of negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and three counts of cause bodily harm by misconduct.
He appeared in the Newcastle Bail Court today and did not apply for release, before bail was formally refused. The court heard the most serious offence of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm carries a maximal jail term of seven years. Thousands of people were lining the streets of Newcastle to farewell their grand final bound Knights on Saturday morning, before a car struck the crowd at a roundabout on Newcastle Link Road, Wallsend.
Mr Samarasinghe was arrested at the scene and shielded by police as members of the crowd allegedly turned on him and his passengers. Witnesses could be heard screaming in videos taken at the scene. Ten people were injured after a car crashed near the procession of Knights fans at Wallsend on Saturday morning. A five-year-old girl and 67-year-old man, who were critically injured in the crash, are now listed as being in serious but stable conditions in John Hunter Hospital.
Two other young girls, aged five and two, a 31-year-old woman and 48-year-old man remain stable in hospital. Judge concerned about mental health With his head bowed and wearing a red, white and yellow T-shirt, Mr Samarasinghe was told his case would be adjourned until later this month. Mr Samarasinghe was handcuffed for his brief court appearance, and wore jeans, a T-shirt and joggers. The 18-year-old's lawyer was on the audio visual link appearing from Sydney.
"I endorse a warrant to say that medical attention is required for the young man with serious offences pending," the judge said. The judge said a medical team could review his general health and "no doubt that might involve a mental health assessment".
Newcastle Car Crash Knights Fans Teen Driver Bail Refused Road Safety
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