Arabic version: نيوكاسل تستيقظ على القلق بعد حادث والزند

According to ABC News, Newcastle began NRL grand final day with concern for people injured when a car struck Knights supporters in Wallsend the previous morning. The crash occurred about 9:30am at a roundabout on Newcastle Link Road, where thousands had gathered to farewell the team bus before its trip to Sydney.

Ten people were injured. Hunter New England Health said a five-year-old girl remained in a critical but stable condition, while a 67-year-old man was in a serious but stable condition. A second five-year-old girl, a two-year-old girl, a 31-year-old woman and a 48-year-old man remained in hospital in stable conditions. Three men aged 24, 25 and 27, along with a 63-year-old woman, had been discharged.

Police charged 18-year-old Indika Bambrick Samarasinghe with multiple driving offences, including dangerous driving, negligent driving occasioning bodily harm and causing bodily harm by misconduct. New South Wales Police said his P1 provisional licence had been suspended and the vehicle seized for forensic examination. Two other teenagers who were in the vehicle were unharmed, police said.

Newcastle resident Anderson Dell described the incident as “really devastating” and offered best wishes to those injured and their families. Knights chief executive Peter Parr said the club’s thoughts and prayers were with injured people, their loved ones and witnesses. A GoFundMe for those affected had raised more than $17,000.