The alleged driver of a car which ploughed into a crowd of Newcastle Knights fans has been charged with nine offences.
Police allege an 18-year-old P-plater was behind the wheel of a convertible BMW when it crashed at a roundabout on Newcastle Link Rd in Wallsend about 9.30am on Saturday.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Newcastle Grand Final send-off turns to tragedy
Hundreds of people were standing on the roadside to see off the Knights as they travelled to Sydney for the NRL grand final.
Police allege the teenager was driving erratically before losing control and crashing into the crowd.
The 18-year-old was charged on Saturday night 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 was refused police bail to appear in court on Sunday.
His licence has also been suspended.
Ten people aged between two and 67 were treated at the scene before being rushed to hospital.
A five-year-old girl remains in a critical but now stable condition, NSW Police said.
The 67-year-old man who was initially in a critical condition is currently reported to be in a serious but stable condition.
Four other people – a second 5-year-old girl, a 2-year-old girl, a 31-year-old woman and a 48-year-old man – remain hospitalized in stable conditions.
Three men – aged 24, 25 and 27 – along with a 63-year-old woman have since been discharged from hospital.
Two male passengers in the vehicle were not injured.
Victims speak out
Knights fan Chris Clancy, 48, was among those injured, suffering a broken left collarbone, a fractured right foot, broken ribs and several small spinal fractures.
Clancy shared a photo from hospital on social media, revealing his nephews Tom and Matt had also been injured.
“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. I will be JJH for a couple of days but will let you all know.
“UP THE KNIGHTS.”
Knights players including Kalyn Ponga, Phoenix Crossland, Greg Marzhew, Dylan Lucas, Cody Hopwood, Mat Croker, Lachlan Crouch and Bradman Best were among those who commented on the post, wishing Clancy a speedy recovery.
Another Knights fan, Adam Geosits, said he and his two sons narrowly avoided being struck.
His four-year-old son Hudson had been standing where the car mounted the kerb moments before the crash.
“This little one here – he doesn’t know how close he was,” he said.
“I’ve had to pick up Hudson and move Hudson out of the way.
“Luckily my 14-year-old Matthew … jumped back as well.
“But the car then hit all the other people who were standing next to us.”
Crowd confronts driver
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner David Waddell said the alleged driver and two passengers were whisked away from the scene by Highway Patrol officers as bystanders had “turned against them”.
He praised bystanders for stepping in and providing assistance while emergency services raced to the scene.
“It made our job … A lot easier as a result,” he said.
“It ripples through the community, these sort of events, and there’s lots of people now involved in this incident as a result.”
Police and Counter-terrorism Minister Yasmin Catley said a split-second decision can change so many lives.
“So many people have been affected by one person’s split-decision,” she said.
She added that the “tragedy needn’t have happened”.
Knights respond
The city has been in the grip of finals fever, with the Knights, last year’s wooden spooners, making it all the way to the decider this year under new coach Justin Holbrook.
The Knights last won a premiership 25 years ago in 2001. Since then there’s been nothing but heartache for the club’s loyal, long-suffering fans.
Knights star Kalyn Ponga shared a post to Instagram later on Saturday morning, saying: “Our hearts are with everyone affected in Wallsend this morning”.
“We’re thinking of you, your families and everyone in our Newcastle community,” he wrote.
Teammate Dane Gagai also echoed the sentiment in a post to social media.
The team’s planned route had to be altered because of the road closure, meaning hundreds of fans missed out on showing their support.
Premier describes crash as ‘heartbreaking’
NSW Premier Chris Minns said it is “heartbreaking to see fans who were sending off their grand final team involved in such a terrible incident”.
“We’ve seen how this grand final has brought Newcastle together and I hope the whole community remains united as we continue to respond,” he said in a statement.
He urged fans and families driving to Sydney for the grand final to “drive safely and take caution on roads”.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he had spoken with Minns about the crash, sending his thoughts to those involved.
“Rugby league brings people together and this should have been a weekend of excitement and pride for Newcastle fans,” he said.
