An 18-year-old man has been charged after allegedly driving his gold BMW into Newcastle Knights supporters, leaving 10 footy fans injured.
NSW Police said late on Saturday that the red P-plater had been discharged from hospital and taken to a police station, where he was charged with nine offences.
The charges include three counts of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, three counts of negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and three counts of causing bodily harm by misconduct in charge of a motor vehicle.
The teenager will remain in custody overnight before appearing in court on Sunday. His driver’s licence has also been suspended.
Knights supporters had gathered to wave goodbye to the team as its bus headed towards the NRL Grand Final in Newcastle, north of Sydney, when the vehicle allegedly struck people on Saturday morning.
Emergency crews were called to the Newcastle Link Road roundabout on Transfield Avenue at about 9.30am after reports that a car had hit people on the pavement following allegations it had been driven ‘erratically’.
The driver was arrested at the scene before being taken to hospital for mandatory testing.
A five-year-old girl is among the 10 injured people and remains in a critical but stable condition in an induced coma.
An 18-year-old man has been charged after allegedly driving his gold BMW into a crowd of Newcastle Knights supporters, injuring 10 people.
The BMW allegedly struck 10 footy fans gathered to wave off the Knights team bus.
Ashleigh Gibbs, understood to be a relative of the young girl, has started a GoFundMe campaign to support the child and her mother, who was also hurt in the crash.
‘A beautiful five-year-old child is currently in an induced coma after suffering serious injuries and has already required multiple operations,’ she wrote.
‘Their mum was also seriously injured and will require multiple operations and a long period of recovery.
‘Both mum and child now face a long road ahead, including further surgeries, hospital stays, rehabilitation and recovery.
‘Sadly, the severity of their injuries means mum will be unable to work for some time, creating enormous financial pressure as the family concentrates on healing and supporting one another.’
Ms Gibbs said the money raised would help cover medical expenses, household costs, travel and other unforeseen bills.
‘Our biggest hope is that this family can focus on what matters most – getting through each day, supporting their little one and recovering together – without the added worry of managing financially,’ she wrote.
A 67-year-old man was also initially in a critical condition, but police later confirmed that his injuries had been downgraded to serious but stable.
Ten people were hurt in the crash, with three later released from hospital.
Emergency services responded to the Newcastle crash on Saturday morning.
Four others, a girl, two, another girl, five, a woman, 31, and a man, 48, remain in hospital in stable conditions.
Three men aged between 24 and 27, along with a 63-year-old woman have been discharged from hospital.
Two teenage passengers in the driver’s car were not injured.
One of the injured, Knights fan Chris Clancy, shared a photo of himself in hospital to Instagram on Saturday night, revealing he’d suffered a broken collarbone.
‘Just letting you know myself, Tom and Matt were injured in the accident with the Newcastle supporters this morning,’ he wrote.
‘Tom has a graze on his left elbow but has been discharged all ready to go to the grand final tomorrow. Matt is still under observation but will more than likely be discharged soon with a graze and bit of bruising on his back.
‘I have a broken left collarbone which requires surgery and may have a possible sprained or broken right foot. UP THE KNIGHTS.’
Various Newcastle stars such as captain Kalyn Ponga wished him well in the comments.
One of the injured, Knights fan Chris Clancy, shared a photo of himself in hospital to Instagram on Saturday night, revealing he’d suffered a broken collarbone
Newcastle Lord Mayor Gavin Morris confirmed the P-plater was a Knights supporter who had attended the celebration along with tens of thousands of people.
‘He was excited. He was a supporter,’ he told ABC News.
‘He was there for the joy of the moment as well. And somehow, yes, he has (allegedly) lost control of the car.’
The incident impacted the planned route of the Newcastle Knights Grand Final procession, which was diverted via an alternate route.
A video circulating on social media captured the moment the driver was arrested, with onlookers heard shouting insults at the teenager.
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner David Waddell said two passengers in the gold BMW had to be removed from the scene due to the brewing anger from the crowd.
‘There were two other persons in the car. We had [to get] them out of there because the crowd did turn on them,’ he said.
‘We have taken that male [driver] for mandatory drug and alcohol testing.’
Fans had gathered to farewell the Knights on Saturday as they set off for the NRL Grand Final
Assistant Commissioner Waddell said there was a ‘fair bit of angst’ from bystanders but added some Good Samaritans helped provide first aid and even CPR to those who were injured.
When asked whether witnesses reached the driver before police, Assistant Commissioner Waddell said the crowd ‘came forward’ and detectives would investigate ‘any other offences that may have been committed’.
The Newcastle Knights addressed the incident in a statement on social media, saying: ‘We apologise to anybody who was waiting and missed the bus, but public safety is our priority.’
A representative for the club then addressed reporters early on Saturday afternoon.
‘The thoughts of everyone at our club are with those that are impacted by this event, [with] their families, and also those [who] are on scene,’ he said.
‘Respectfully, now, this is a matter for NSW Police so, at this stage, the club can make no further comment.’
Knights star Kalyn Ponga shared a heartfelt post on social media addressed to the Newcastle community.
‘We’re thinking of you, your families and everyone in our Newcastle community. Sending our love and support,’ he said.
The incident impacted the planned route of the Newcastle Knights Grand Final procession
Emergency services were called to the Newcastle Link Road roundabout on Transfield Avenue at about 9.30am
The sentiment was echoed by his teammate, Dane Gagai, who said: ‘Our hearts go out to the families impacted by this situation. Thoughts and prayers are with you.’
NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley had a tough message about public safety on the roads after the crash, which she called a ‘preventable tragedy’ after a ‘split second decision’.
‘We knew that people would be out celebrating the wonderful achievements of the Newcastle Knights and we set out warnings about driver behaviour and how important driver behaviour is,’ she said.
‘It is an absolute tragedy, a tragedy that needn’t have happened, a tragedy that was preventable.’
Following the news, messages of support were shared from politicians in both NSW and federal government.
Premier Chris Minns urged fans travelling to Sydney for the game to take care on the roads.
‘It’s heartbreaking to see fans who were sending off their grand final team involved in such a terrible incident,’ he 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.
An investigation is underway
‘We’ve seen how this grand final has brought Newcastle together, and I hope the whole community remains united as we continue to respond.’
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has spoken out, saying he had discussed the incident with Minns and expressed his concern for ‘everyone injured or involved in the horrible incident’.
‘Rugby league brings people together, and this should have been a weekend of excitement and pride for Newcastle fans,’ he added.
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor also addressed the ‘devastating’ news.
‘On what should have been a happy community occasion for Newcastle, our thoughts are with the injured, and those assisting at the scene,’ he said.
Police said investigations are continuing.