Newcastle's joy tempered by heartache on NRL grand final day after car crash
Newcastle has woken with a heavy heart on NRL grand final day, its excitement tempered by concern for those affected after a car hit a crowd of Knights fans farewelling the team yesterday morning.
Multiple people were injured when a car crashed into a crowd of supporters about 9:30am at a roundabout on Newcastle Link Road, in Newcastle's west.
The 18-year-old driver, Indika Bambrick Samarasinghe, has since been charged with multiple driving offences, including dangerous driving, negligent driving occasioning bodily harm and causing bodily harm by misconduct.
New South Wales Police said in a statement Mr Samarasinghe's P1 Provisional licence has been suspended and the vehicle has been seized prior to undergoing forensic examination.
Two other teens, present in the vehicle with Mr Samarasinghe, were unharmed according to police.
The crash injured 10 people, including a five-year-old girl who remains in a critical but now stable condition, the statement continued.
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 hospitalised in stable conditions.
Three men – aged 24, 25 and 27 – along with a 63-year-old woman have since been discharged from hospital.
They were among thousands who had lined the streets to see off the Knights team bus, which was due to pass through the area as it left for Sydney ahead of the grand final match.
It comes after a week of celebration across the city, as Newcastle prepared for its first grand final in 25 years.
The driver was later released from hospital and taken to a police station where he was charged with nine offences including:
The car at the scene of the crash at a roundabout on Newcastle Link Road in Wallsend. (ABC News)
Widespread heartbreak
Many Novocastrians say they have felt the hurt of yesterday's crash deeply.
"It's really devastating," Newcastle man Anderson Dell said.
"It just goes to show one person's silly act can completely ruin something so great."
Knights supporters gathered on an oval where emergency services were transporting patients. (ABC News: Piper Duffy)
Mr Dell echoed how the region felt, saying he hoped those injured had a quick recovery.
"Best wishes to all of them [those injured] and their families," he said.
In hospital for grand final
One of those injured, Chris Clancy, posted on social media late yesterday saying he would be spending the grand final in hospital.
"I have a broken left collarbone which requires surgery and may have a possible sprained or broken right foot," his post read.
"I will be JJH [John Hunter Hospital] for a couple of days but will let you all know."
Chris Clancy was one of 10 people taken to hospital after the incident. (Instagram: Chris Clancy)
Knights captain Kalyn Ponga commented on the post.
"All the best with recovery mate! The team and community are with yas," his comment read.
In a statement, Newcastle Knights CEO Peter Parr expressed his "deep concern and support" for those impacted.
"Our thoughts and prayers are first and foremost with everyone who has been injured, their families and loved ones, and everyone who witnessed what occurred this morning," the statement read.
"What was meant to be a special morning for our community, thousands of Novocastrians coming together to farewell our team and show their support ahead of the Grand Final, has understandably turned into a distressing morning."
A GoFundMe for those affected by the tragedy has raised more than $17,000.
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