Newcastle awoke with a sense of sorrow on the day of the NRL grand final, following an incident where a vehicle struck a group of Knights supporters the previous morning.
In the crash, ten individuals were injured when a car, reportedly being driven in a reckless manner, collided with fans who had gathered to bid farewell to the Knights players as they departed for Sydney.
According to Hunter New England Health, only one patient remains in critical condition, while three others have already been released from the hospital.
The incident occurred around 9:30 AM at a roundabout on Newcastle Link Road, situated in the western part of the city.
The driver, an 18-year-old named Indika Bambrick Samarasinghe, has been charged with several driving-related offenses, including dangerous driving and negligent driving resulting in bodily harm. New South Wales Police reported that his P1 Provisional license has been suspended, and the vehicle has been confiscated for forensic analysis.
Two other teenagers who were in the car with him were unharmed, according to police reports.
Among the injured was a five-year-old girl, who is currently in critical but stable condition. Additionally, a 67-year-old man, who was initially listed as critical, is now reported to be in serious but stable condition. Four other individuals—a second five-year-old girl, a two-year-old girl, a 31-year-old woman, and a 48-year-old man—are also hospitalized but stable.
Three men aged 24, 25, and 27, along with a 63-year-old woman, have been released from medical care.
Aerial footage captured the aftermath of the incident, which disrupted a celebration where thousands had gathered to send off the Knights team bus ahead of the grand final, marking the team’s first appearance in 25 years.
After being discharged from the hospital, the driver was taken to a police station where he faced nine charges related to the incident.
The community is feeling the impact of the crash deeply. Local resident Anderson Dell expressed his heartbreak, stating, “It’s really devastating. It just goes to show one person’s silly act can completely ruin something so great.”
He extended his best wishes to those injured and their families during this difficult time.
Chris Clancy, one of the injured, took to social media to share that he would be spending the grand final in the hospital. “I have a broken left collarbone that requires surgery and may have a possible sprained or broken right foot,” he wrote, adding that he would be at John Hunter Hospital for a few days.
Knights captain Kalyn Ponga responded to Clancy’s post, wishing him a speedy recovery and assuring him that the team and community are supporting him.
In a statement, Newcastle Knights CEO Peter Parr expressed his profound concern for those affected, stating, “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.” He noted that what was intended to be a joyous occasion for the community turned into a distressing situation.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support those impacted by the tragedy, successfully raising over $17,000.
