A car hit a crowd of Newcastle Knights supporters in Wallsend on Saturday morning, October 3, injuring 10 people who had gathered to farewell the team before the NRL grand final in Sydney. The Knights bus was due to pass Newcastle Link Road near the Transfield Drive roundabout at about 9:30 a.m. Instead, authorities closed the road in both directions and diverted the bus.
Witness Dylan Prior described people rushing to help. “I saw some young kids go flying, and people running to help the victims,” he told ABC. “Everyone was yelling and hysterical, yelling at the driver. They were screaming for help.”
The crowd responded first
Paramedics treated all 10 injured people at the scene, then took them to John Hunter Hospital. A five-year-old girl remained in critical but stable condition in an induced coma, The Guardian reported. A 67-year-old man’s condition improved to serious but stable. The other eight were initially described as stable. By Saturday night, five remained in hospital and three had been discharged.
The injured included a second five-year-old girl, a two-year-old girl, a 31-year-old woman, a 48-year-old man, a 24-year-old man, a 63-year-old woman, a 25-year-old man and a 57-year-old man, ABC reported. NSW Ambulance sent four helicopters and 15 ambulances, according to a later ABC update. Police asked the public to leave the area and keep roadways clear.
The driver, an 18-year-old man on P-plates, was arrested at the scene and taken to hospital for mandatory testing, ABC reported. The Guardian said prosecutors charged him with nine offences, including dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, negligent driving and causing bodily harm by misconduct. He was refused bail ahead of a court appearance on Sunday.
Assistant Commissioner Dave Waddell said two other people allegedly in the car were escorted away after the crowd turned on them. ABC reported that Waddell described a fracas as people tried to stop the driver and passengers, and praised crowd members who provided first aid. This wasn't simply a line of emergency vehicles. People at the scene were already trying to help.
A send-off, then a shutdown
Thousands of supporters had gathered in Wallsend, ABC reported; The Guardian put the number at more than 1,000. Fans waited near a service station to see the bus at traffic lights, while decorated cars and trucks, flags and honking accompanied the team’s send-off. Witness Carolyn Clark described packed streets and touch football fields, and a euphoric mood before ambulances, police cars and fire crews arrived at about 9:30 a.m.
Prior said he arrived at 8:30 a.m. with his two young daughters and his mother, expecting the bus about 10 a.m. He said he saw one police officer at the scene, who joined efforts to help victims. “I wish there had been more police around. This could have been avoided if more police were in sight,” he said. He described the mood afterward as “very deflated.” Police said initial inquiries indicated the crash wasn't believed to be terror-related. The Guardian reported police didn't believe it was deliberate, while declining to comment on reports the car had been driven erratically.
The Knights changed their route and apologized to supporters who missed the farewell, saying “public safety is our priority.” The club diverted its bus, and authorities closed the road. The crowd’s gathering ended under emergency response and police direction. Those at the scene provided first aid and tried to help injured people.
Officials speak; neighbors raise funds
Multiple fundraisers launched Saturday afternoon for injured fans, The Guardian reported. Fundraising organiser Ashleigh Gibbs said the five-year-old child in an induced coma had already undergone multiple operations. A fundraising page said the child’s mother was also seriously injured and would need multiple operations and a long recovery: “Both mum and child now have a long road ahead of them, with ongoing surgeries, hospital stays, rehabilitation.”
Police, emergency services and hospital staff handled the official response; local fundraising efforts offered another form of support to injured families. The club said it wouldn't make further comment because the matter was for NSW Police. Newcastle Lord Mayor Gavin Morris said the city would “come together for those injured and the families,” as well as for the Knights.
Police Minister Yasmin Catley called the crash “an absolute tragedy — a tragedy that needn’t have happened.” Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison said the incident could have been worse, given the number of people gathered. NSW Premier Chris Minns called it heartbreaking and thanked emergency services. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese offered federal government support and thanked police and emergency workers. NRL executive chair Peter V’landys said the league was working with police to understand what happened. Their statements came after a crowd had already rushed to help, while injured people and their families faced hospital care, operations and recovery.