An 18-year-old driver on a provisional license, Indika Bambrick Samarasinghe, has been denied bail following a collision in Newcastle that resulted in injuries to ten individuals. This decision was made during a court appearance at Newcastle Bail Court today, where bail was formally rejected.

The Sydney resident faces multiple charges, including three counts of dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm, three counts of negligent driving leading to grievous bodily harm, and three counts of causing bodily harm through misconduct. He did not request bail during the hearing.

The court was informed that the most serious charge, dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison. The incident occurred on Saturday morning when a car plowed into a crowd of Newcastle Knights supporters who were gathered to celebrate their team’s upcoming grand final.

Witnesses reported that Mr. Samarasinghe was driving erratically before the crash at a roundabout on Newcastle Link Road, Wallsend. Following the incident, he was apprehended at the scene, where police had to protect him from an angry crowd.

In terms of the victims, a five-year-old girl and a 67-year-old man, both critically injured, are now in serious but stable condition at John Hunter Hospital. Additionally, a five-year-old girl, a two-year-old girl, a 31-year-old woman, and a 48-year-old man remain stable in the hospital, while four other individuals have been released.

During the court session, Mr. Samarasinghe, dressed in casual attire, bowed his head and did not speak. He was handcuffed and appeared via audio-visual link, with his legal representative present from Sydney. The judge noted concerns regarding Mr. Samarasinghe’s health and indicated that he requires medical attention. The judge endorsed a warrant for a health review, which would likely include a mental health assessment.

The next court date for this case is scheduled for October 15.