Another victim of the horror crash that saw an out-of-control car plough into a crowd of NRL fans has been identified.
Chris Clancy, a 48-year-old Newcastle Knights supporter, was hit on Saturday as he waited to cheer the team bus carrying the Knights to Sydney for the grand final.
The alleged driver, red P-plater Indika Bambrick Samarasinghe, remained behind bars on Sunday night, while several people injured in the crash were still in hospital.
Among them was a five-year-old girl whose condition was upgraded from critical to serious but stable.
Those also being treated included a two-year-old girl, a 31-year-old woman and a ‘hero’ grandfather who suffered multiple fractures to both legs after pushing his two granddaughters out of the BMW’s path.
Mr Clancy told the Sydney Morning Herald on Sunday that he suffered a broken left collarbone, a fracture to his right foot, broken ribs and small spinal fractures.
Chris Clancy (pictured with former Knights player Mark Hughes) suffered multiple injuries in the car collision with a crowd of Knights fans on Saturday
The alleged driver, red P-plater Indika Bambrick Samarasinghe, was arrested at the scene (above) in Wallsend
He was due to undergo surgery on Sunday afternoon, but asked doctors to complete the procedure in time for him to watch the grand final kick-off at 7.30pm.
The 48-year-old said he saw the sedan heading towards the crowd and quickly realised there was not enough time to escape.
‘I honestly thought when the car was coming towards me that I was dead,’ Mr Clancy said.
‘I thought I was going to die. The car was coming right at me.’
People nearby rushed to help him moments after the collision.
‘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 okay,’ he said.
Mr Clancy said the crash left him ‘angry’, adding that ‘it was supposed to be a good day.’
The strong community support that followed, however, has helped lift his spirits.
Mr Clancy (above) recalled thinking he ‘was going to die’ after seeing the car speeding towards him
Mr Clancy shared multiple posts thanking the community for its support, including a local cookie maker who dropped off Knight-themed treats (above) shortly before the grand final
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On Sunday, Mr Clancy shared a photo from his hospital bed after former Knights player Mark Hughes visited him. He captioned the post: ‘Up the Newcastle Knights’.
Several other Knights players also commented with messages of support beneath Mr Clancy’s post telling loved ones he had been injured in the crash.
‘Thoughts with you mate,’ Phoenix Crossland wrote.
‘All the best with recovery mate! The team and community are with yas,’ Kalyn Ponga wrote.
‘You’re a soldier brother. Prayers up for a speedy recovery,’ Bradman Best wrote.
‘Thinking of you all,’ Tyson Frizell wrote.
‘Prayers for a speedy recovery brother,’ Greg Marzhew wrote.
The Knights’ own page also commented, writing: ‘Thoughts are with you and the family, Chris.’
Samarasinghe (above) remained behind bars on Sunday night on nine charges
In another post, he thanked a local cookie shop, Cookies by Angie, for dropping off some Knights-themed biscuits ahead of the grand final match.
‘To the families who were affected by yesterday’s heartbreaking events, and to the incredible hospital staff who worked tirelessly to help,’ a note with the cookies read.
‘In tough times, we see the true spirit of our community – coming together, supporting one another and showing what Newcastle is all about.’
Samarasinghe, 18, was arrested at the scene, on Newcastle Link Road near the Transfield Drive roundabout in Wallsend, and charged with nine offences arising from the crash of the gold BMW with the plates ‘INDIKA’.
Police charged Samarasinghe with 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.
Samarasinghe did not apply for bail in court on Sunday and it was formally refused.
He is due to remain in custody ahead of his next appearance at Newcastle Local Court on October 15.
– READ MORE: Hero grandad’s brave act revealed as he suffers multiple fractures saving his two granddaughters in Newcastle crowd crash