Car strikes Knights fans at Wallsend

A vehicle hit a crowd of Newcastle Knights supporters gathered to farewell their team to Sydney for Sunday's NRL grand final at the Transfield Drive roundabout in Wallsend about nine thirty am.

Ten people taken to hospital

Police said ten people were taken to hospital. A five-year-old girl and a sixty-seven-year-old man were in critical condition. Three emergency services helicopters and fifteen ambulances responded to the scene.

Five-year-old girl among injured

The ABC understands the sixty-seven-year-old man is now in stable condition. The other eight injured include another five-year-old girl, a two-year-old girl and a sixty-three-year-old woman. Three people were discharged later in the day.

Driver charged with offences

Indika Bambrick Samarasingh, eighteen, was arrested by police and charged with multiple driving offences. Police said the incident was not targeted and thousands of people were lining the streets when the car struck the crowd.

Police Minister calls it absolute tragedy

Police Minister Yasmin Catley said what happened is an absolute tragedy, a tragedy that needn't have happened. She said so many people had been affected by the incident.

“What happened is an absolute tragedy, a tragedy that needn't have happened.”

Community rallies around those affected

Knights director of football Chris James said the club's thoughts are with those impacted. Newcastle Lord Mayor Gavin Morris said the city would come together for those injured and the families, and also for the Knights.