NEWCASTLE, Australia — A festive community send-off turned into tragedy on Saturday morning when a vehicle ploughed into a large crowd gathered along a road in Newcastle, leaving 10 people hospitalized—including a 2-year-old girl and a 5-year-old left in critical condition.
Around 9:30 a.m. local time, hundreds of rugby league supporters lined the streets in Wallsend, a suburb of Newcastle, to cheer on the Newcastle Knights as the team bus departed for Sydney ahead of Sunday's grand final match.
The celebratory atmosphere evaporated when an 18-year-old driver revved his vehicle's engine and lost control, veering directly into the crowd gathered along the roadside.
"He was revving the car, he was excited, he was a supporter... Somehow he lost control of the car, and he's gone into the crowd," Newcastle Mayor Gavin Morris said in televised statements following the crash.
A massive emergency response—including a dozen land ambulances and three medical helicopters—was dispatched to the scene to treat victims scattered across the road.
Health officials confirmed that 10 people were taken to the hospital following the incident. Among them, a 5-year-old girl and a 67-year-old man remain in critical condition with severe, life-threatening injuries. The remaining eight victims—including a 2-year-old girl and a second 5-year-old girl—were hospitalized in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries.
New South Wales Police arrested the 18-year-old driver at the scene. He was transported under guard for mandatory blood and alcohol testing as investigators examine the exact circumstances surrounding the erratic driving.
Authorities stated there is no indication that the incident was terrorism-related.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed condolences to the community, noting that what should have been a day of pride and excitement for local sports fans was horribly disrupted.
As the investigation continues, crisis counseling support has been established for witnesses and affected family members. Community leaders and local sports organizations have also begun organizing support drives and vigils to assist the victims and their families during the recovery process.
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