Car hits crowd at Knights sendoff

A car crashed into Newcastle Knights supporters at a roundabout on Newcastle Link Road at Wallsend at about nine thirty am on Saturday, injuring ten people.

Eighteen-year-old arrested at scene

Indika Bambrick Samarasinghe, eighteen, was arrested at the scene. Police said he has had his P one Provisional licence suspended and the vehicle was seized for forensic examination.

Multiple charges filed against driver

Samarasinghe has been charged with three instances of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, three instances of negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and three instances of cause bodily harm by misconduct.

Injuries range from stable to serious

Ten people were taken to John Hunter Hospital. A five-year-old girl and a sixty-seven-year-old man are in serious but stable condition. Four others remain hospitalised in stable conditions. Three men and a woman have been discharged.

Police minister calls it a tragedy

Police Minister Yasmin Catley said at the scene, "what happened is an absolute tragedy, a tragedy that needn't have happened". The Knights bus diverted to a different route away from the procession.

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

Knights leadership responds to crash

Knights director of football Chris James said the club's thoughts are with those impacted. CEO Peter Parr said what was meant to be a special morning had turned into a distressing one.

Victim updates from hospital bed

Crash victim Chris Clancy shared a thumbs-up from his hospital bed despite suffering a broken collarbone and possibly broken foot. Knights captain Kalyn Ponga replied, "the team and community are with yas".

“the team and community are with yas”