What we know about the crash into the Newcastle Knights crowd

Multiple people were injured when a car crashed into a crowd of football fans who had come out to farewell the Newcastle Knights rugby league team bus in Wallsend on Saturday morning. Here is everything we know about the incident.

What happened in Wallsend?

Newcastle Knights fans lined the streets of Wallsend, near Newcastle, on Saturday morning to send off their team before their trip south to Sydney for Sunday’s grand final against the Sydney Roosters.

People of all ages were gathered on Newcastle Link Road at the Transfield Drive roundabout in Wallsend about 9.30am when a BMW struck the crowd.

Emergency services were called. NSW Police said a large emergency services response involved officers from the Newcastle City Police District, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command officers and NSW Ambulance paramedics.

The driver of the BMW was arrested at the scene. Police do not believe the incident was targeted, and are investigating if the driver lost control of his vehicle in the moments before the collision.

How many people were injured?

Three young girls were among 10 people injured after they were struck by the car.

One of the victims, a five-year-old girl, was still in a critical condition in Newcastle’s John Hunter Hospital on Saturday evening.

Another patient was in a serious but stable condition, while five others were in a stable condition. A further three had been discharged from hospital.

What did the police say?

Police do not believe the incident was targeted or terror related, and are investigating if the driver, an 18-year-old P-plater, lost control of his vehicle in the moments before the collision. The teenager was arrested at the scene of the crash and taken to hospital for mandatory drug and alcohol testing.

Police say he was driving “erratically” and is expected to be charged over the crash this weekend.
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner David Waddell told reporters that two other people were in the car at the time of the crash and had to be removed from the scene after witnesses became hostile.

“We had to get the three of them out of there because the crowd did turn on them,” Waddell said.

Newcastle Mayor Gavin Morris said the driver was believed to be a fan of the Newcastle Knights, who allegedly lost control of the vehicle. Morris said passing vehicles on the route were “revving up the crowd” as they drove past.

Asked whether bollards or fencing should have been installed at the roadside to protect fans, Morris said securing the 20-kilometre stretch of road between the Knight’s home ground and the crash site was “almost an impossible task”.

Have the Newcastle Knights responded?

Newcastle Knights captain Kalyn Ponga led tributes to those injured in the crash.

“Our hearts are with everyone affected in Wallsend this morning,” Ponga said on social media. “We’re thinking of you, your families and everyone in our Newcastle community. Sending our love and support x.”

Chief executive Peter Parr expressed his deep concern and support for those impacted, while thanking fans, police and medical staff.

“We want to thank our incredible fans for the passion and support they showed our team this morning. The scenes across Newcastle demonstrated once again what this football club means to our community,” he said. Parr thanked the response of first responders, police and the doctors and nurses caring for patients at John Hunter Hospital.

The club said their thoughts were with everyone impacted by the incident, including those at the scene and their families. “Respectfully, now this is a matter for NSW Police, so at this stage, the club can make no further comment,” as spokesman for the club said as the team arrived in Sydney on Saturday.

Australian Rugby League Commission executive chairman Peter V’landys said he was deeply saddened by the incident and his thoughts were with the injured.

Asked if the incident would impact on the plans for the grand final in Sydney on Sunday night, V’landys said: “We’re just concerned about the victims at the moment, that’s all we’re focusing on.”

What has been the wider reaction?

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese thanked emergency services and police for responding so quickly.

“My thoughts are with everyone injured or involved in the horrible incident this morning in Newcastle. Rugby league brings people together, and this should have been a weekend of excitement and pride for Newcastle fans,” Albanese said.

Morris, the mayor who said it was really upsetting, also said: “What began as a morning of pride and celebration for Novocastrians to support our Newcastle Knights has now been marked by a very serious incident, and as a community, we’re heartbroken … This terrible incident is hard, and it’s okay to feel it. In the days and weeks ahead, we as the Newcastle and Hunter community need to come together with heart, soul and empathy. We are a strong community and we will support each other.”

NSW Premier Chris Minns said it was “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 the Newcastle together, and I hope the whole community remains united as we continue to respond.”

With Julie Power, Megan Gorrey, Riley Walter, Emily Kowal and Tom Decent.

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