10 injured after car crashes into crowd of rugby fans in Australia; driver arrested

Two people, a 5-year-old girl and a 67-year-old man were in critical condition.

Ten people were injured, including two critically, after a vehicle crashed into a crowd in Australia on Saturday morning, authorities said.

It happened about 9:30 a.m. Saturday local time in Newcastle, about 100 miles north of Sydney, as crowds were lining the street for the Newcastle Knights' rugby team's grand final procession to send off the team, according to local media reports.

Of the 10 people who were injured, two -- a 5-year-old girl and a 67-year-old man -- were taken to the hospital and remain in critical condition, New South Wales police said in an update.

The others, including another 5-year-old girl and a 2-year-old, were taken to the hospital and were in stable condition, according to police. The ages of the other people who were hurt ranged from 24 to 63.

The 18-year-old driver was arrested at the scene, police said.

Police officers, traffic patrols and paramedics responded to the scene. Several people were treated by paramedics at the scene, authorities said.

Police said the incident closed Newcastle Link Road in both directions and impacted the planned route of the procession.

Newcastle Mayor Gavin Morris told ABC News Australia during a broadcast that early information suggested the driver had been revving the vehicle before losing control and driving sideways into the crowd.

In a statement, the Newcastle Knights said: "Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by the incident, including those at the scene and their families."