Ten Injured as Car Hits Newcastle Knights Fans in Australia

• Ten people were injured when a car struck a crowd of Newcastle Knights supporters in Wallsend, Newcastle.

• A five-year-old girl remains in critical condition, while a 67-year-old man is in serious but stable condition.

• The 18-year-old driver was arrested, and police say the crash is not believed to be terrorism-related.

Ten people were injured on Saturday after a car crashed into a crowd of Newcastle Knights rugby league supporters gathered in Wallsend, Newcastle, ahead of the team's National Rugby League Grand Final.

The incident happened at about 9:30 a.m. near the Transfield Drive roundabout on Newcastle Link Road, where fans had gathered to farewell the Knights team as it prepared to travel to Sydney for Sunday's Grand Final.

New South Wales Police said an 18-year-old provisional-license driver was arrested at the scene and taken to hospital for mandatory testing. Police have launched an investigation into the circumstances of the crash.

Ten People Injured

Ten people were treated by paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital.

The latest update said a five-year-old girl remains in critical condition, while the 67-year-old man, initially reported as critical is now in serious but stable condition. Three other injured people have been discharged, while five remain in stable condition.

The injured also included another five-year-old girl, a two-year-old girl, and several adults. Emergency services responded with multiple ambulances and helicopters as authorities worked to treat those injured and secure the area.

Fans Gathered for Team Farewell

Hundreds of supporters had gathered along the streets to see the Newcastle Knights team bus before the club travelled to Sydney for Sunday's NRL Grand Final.

The team bus was diverted from its planned route following the crash. The Knights later expressed their support for those affected by the incident.

Newcastle Mayor Gavin Morris said the driver appeared to have lost control of the vehicle. He said the driver appeared to have been revving the car before the crash.

Police said initial inquiries indicated that the incident was not believed to be terrorism related.

Police Investigation Underway

The driver was arrested at the scene and remains the focus of the police investigation. Authorities have not described the incident as a deliberate attack.

Newcastle Link Road was closed in both directions while police conducted their investigation; authorities asked the public to stay clear of the area and allow emergency services to operate.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed his concern for those injured, saying the incident had turned what was expected to be a weekend of excitement for Newcastle supporters into a tragedy.

The investigation into how the vehicle entered the crowd and the circumstances surrounding the driver's actions remains ongoing.