A celebratory send-off for the Newcastle Knights turned into a scene of chaos and tragedy on Saturday morning when a car plowed into a crowd of fans, leaving nine people injured, including children.
The incident occurred at approximately 9:30 a.m. at the Transfield Drive roundabout on the Newcastle Link Road in Wallsend. A large crowd of supporters had gathered in high spirits to cheer on the Knights team bus as it departed ahead of the NRL grand final.
According to Newcastle Mayor Gavin Morris, the driver of the vehicle—himself reportedly a Knights supporter—lost control while attempting to rev his engine to excite the crowd. Footage shared on social media appears to show the car driving at speed around the roundabout shortly before it veered off the road and mounted a footpath, striking the gathered onlookers.
“It appears that he’s lost control of the car, and he’s gone into the crowd,” Morris told the ABC. “It is heartbreaking… nine were injured, which sadly also included children.”
Emergency services rushed to the scene to treat the victims, and New South Wales Police confirmed that the driver was arrested immediately. The area was swiftly cordoned off, forcing the Knights to divert their team bus to ensure the safety of other supporters.
In a statement posted to Instagram, the club expressed its regret regarding the change of plans, noting that “public safety is our priority.” Police have since appealed for the public to leave the area and keep roadways clear to allow emergency vehicles unimpeded access.
The incident has cast a somber shadow over what was intended to be a weekend of celebration for the city. NSW Premier Chris Minns expressed his sympathy for those caught in the collision, stating, “It’s 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.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also addressed the tragedy, confirming he had reached out to the Premier to offer federal assistance. “Rugby league brings people together, and this should have been a weekend of excitement and pride for Newcastle fans,” the Prime Minister said. “My thoughts are with everyone injured or involved in the horrible incident.”
Investigations into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing, and police are currently processing the scene. For now, the focus remains on the recovery of those injured and the impact on the local community as they grapple with the sudden turn of events on the eve of the sport’s biggest day.
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