Ten injured after vehicle hits Knights supporters in Wallsend
Police said two people were in critical condition after a vehicle struck a crowd gathered to support the Newcastle Knights ahead of the NRL Grand Final.
Ten people were injured when a vehicle drove into a crowd supporting the Newcastle Knights in Wallsend, New South Wales, on Saturday. The supporters had gathered as the team prepared for its NRL Grand Final against the Sydney Roosters.
New South Wales Police said a five-year-old girl and a 67-year-old man were in critical condition. The other eight injured people were reported to be stable.
An 18-year-old man driving the vehicle was arrested. Assistant Commissioner David Waddell said mandatory drug and alcohol testing had been arranged and the man was taken to a police station. Police said he was likely to be charged later that day; the source report gives no outcome.
Waddell said police did not believe the incident was terrorism-related and there was no suggestion it was targeted or motivated by ill intent. He described the driver as having driven erratically and lost control of the vehicle.
Knights chief executive Peter Parr said the club’s thoughts were with those injured, their families and witnesses. He also acknowledged the response of emergency services and hospital staff.
