Newcastle: Ten people have been injured after a car crashed into a crowd of Newcastle Knights supporters in the Australian city of Newcastle on Saturday morning, triggering a major emergency response.
10 Injured, Two in Critical Condition
Police and emergency services were called to Newcastle Link Road in the Wallsend area, about 110 km north of Sydney, at around 9:30 a.m. local time after a vehicle struck people gathered along the road.
According to the latest reports, 10 people were taken to John Hunter Hospital following the crash. A five-year-old girl and a 67-year-old man are in critical condition, while the other eight injured people, including two other young children, are in stable condition. There have been no confirmed reports of any death so far.
The injured include a two-year-old girl, two five-year-old girls, 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, according to reports citing New South Wales Police.
Driver Arrested at Scene
Police arrested the 18-year-old male driver at the scene. Authorities are investigating the circumstances of the crash, while initial indications suggest that the incident was not terrorism-related.
Newcastle Mayor Gavin Morris said it appeared the driver had lost control of the vehicle.
Newcastle Knights Farewell Disrupted
The crowd had gathered to farewell the Newcastle Knights rugby league team as they travelled to Sydney ahead of their National Rugby League grand final against the Sydney Roosters on Sunday.
The incident disrupted the planned team procession, with the Newcastle Knights bus diverted from its scheduled route. Emergency services, including multiple ambulances and helicopters, responded to the scene.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns described the incident as heartbreaking and expressed his thoughts for those injured and their families.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also expressed support for those affected and thanked emergency services and police for their response.
The investigation into the circumstances of the crash is continuing.