An 18-year-old P-plate driver accused of crashing his gold BMW into a group of football supporters, injuring 10 people, had previously been banned from driving.
NSW Police said late Saturday that Indika Bambrick Samarasinghe had been discharged from hospital and taken to a police station, where he was charged with nine offences.
The charges include three counts of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, three counts of negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and three counts of causing bodily harm by misconduct in charge of a motor vehicle.
Samarasinghe is expected to appear at a bail hearing on Sunday. Court records show his licence was suspended in February.
He challenged the suspension in April but was unsuccessful, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
The crash happened on Saturday morning as crowds of Newcastle Knights supporters gathered to farewell the team bus before the NRL Grand Final in Newcastle, north of Sydney.
Emergency crews were called to the Newcastle Link Road roundabout on Transfield Avenue at about 9.30am after reports that a vehicle had allegedly been driven erratically before striking people on the pavement.
Police arrested the driver at the scene before taking him to hospital for mandatory testing.
An 18-year-old man has been charged after his gold BMW allegedly ploughed into Newcastle Knights supporters, leaving 10 people injured
The BMW allegedly struck 10 football fans gathered to wave off the Knights
A five-year-old girl is among the 10 people injured and remains in a critical but stable condition in an induced coma.
Ashleigh Gibbs, believed to be a relative of the child, has created a GoFundMe appeal to help the girl and her mother, who was also hurt in the collision.
“A beautiful five-year-old child is currently in an induced coma after suffering serious injuries and has already required multiple operations,” Gibbs wrote.
“Their mum was also seriously injured and will require multiple operations and a long period of recovery.
“Both mum and child now have a long road ahead of them, with ongoing surgeries, hospital stays, rehabilitation and recovery.
“Sadly, because of the severity of their injuries, mum will not be able to work for some time, placing enormous financial pressure on the family while they focus on healing and being there for each other.”
Gibbs said donations would help cover medical expenses, household costs, travel and other unanticipated bills.
“Our biggest hope is that this family can focus on what matters most – getting through each day, supporting their little one, and recovering together – without having to worry about how they will manage financially,” she wrote.
A 67-year-old man who was initially in a critical condition has since improved to serious but stable, police said.
Ten people were hurt in the collision, with three later released from hospital
Emergency services were called to the scene in Newcastle on Saturday morning
Four others, a girl, two, another girl, five, a woman, 31, and a man, 48, remain in hospital in stable conditions.
Three men aged between 24 and 27, along with a 63-year-old woman have been discharged from hospital.
Two teenage passengers in the driver’s car were not injured.
One of the injured, Knights fan Chris Clancy, shared a photo of himself in hospital to Instagram on Saturday night, revealing he’d suffered a broken collarbone.
‘Just letting you know myself, Tom and Matt were injured in the accident with the Newcastle supporters this morning,’ he wrote.
‘Tom has a graze on his left elbow but has been discharged all ready to go to the grand final tomorrow. Matt is still under observation but will more than likely be discharged soon with a graze and bit of bruising on his back.
‘I have a broken left collarbone which requires surgery and may have a possible sprained or broken right foot. UP THE KNIGHTS.’
Various Newcastle stars such as captain Kalyn Ponga wished him well in the comments.
One of the injured, Knights fan Chris Clancy, shared a photo of himself in hospital to Instagram on Saturday night, revealing he’d suffered a broken collarbone
Newcastle Lord Mayor Gavin Morris confirmed the P-plater was a Knights supporter who had attended the celebration along with tens of thousands of people.
‘He was excited. He was a supporter,’ he told ABC News.
‘He was there for the joy of the moment as well. And somehow, yes, he has (allegedly) lost control of the car.’
The incident impacted the planned route of the Newcastle Knights Grand Final procession, which was diverted via an alternate route.
A video circulating on social media captured the moment the driver was arrested, with onlookers heard shouting insults at the teenager.
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner David Waddell said two passengers in the gold BMW had to be removed from the scene due to the brewing anger from the crowd.
‘There were two other persons in the car. We had [to get] them out of there because the crowd did turn on them,’ he said.
‘We have taken that male [driver] for mandatory drug and alcohol testing.’
Fans had gathered to farewell the Knights on Saturday as they set off for the NRL Grand Final
Assistant Commissioner Waddell said there was a ‘fair bit of angst’ from bystanders but added some Good Samaritans helped provide first aid and even CPR to those who were injured.
When asked whether witnesses reached the driver before police, Assistant Commissioner Waddell said the crowd ‘came forward’ and detectives would investigate ‘any other offences that may have been committed’.
The Newcastle Knights addressed the incident in a statement on social media, saying: ‘We apologise to anybody who was waiting and missed the bus, but public safety is our priority.’
A representative for the club then addressed reporters early on Saturday afternoon.
‘The thoughts of everyone at our club are with those that are impacted by this event, [with] their families, and also those [who] are on scene,’ he said.
‘Respectfully, now, this is a matter for NSW Police so, at this stage, the club can make no further comment.’
Knights star Kalyn Ponga shared a heartfelt post on social media addressed to the Newcastle community.
‘We’re thinking of you, your families and everyone in our Newcastle community. Sending our love and support,’ he said.
The incident impacted the planned route of the Newcastle Knights Grand Final procession
Emergency services were called to the Newcastle Link Road roundabout on Transfield Avenue at about 9.30am
The sentiment was echoed by his teammate, Dane Gagai, who said: ‘Our hearts go out to the families impacted by this situation. Thoughts and prayers are with you.’
NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley had a tough message about public safety on the roads after the crash, which she called a ‘preventable tragedy’ after a ‘split second decision’.
‘We knew that people would be out celebrating the wonderful achievements of the Newcastle Knights and we set out warnings about driver behaviour and how important driver behaviour is,’ she said.
‘It is an absolute tragedy, a tragedy that needn’t have happened, a tragedy that was preventable.’
Following the news, messages of support were shared from politicians in both NSW and federal government.
Premier Chris Minns urged fans travelling to Sydney for the game to take care on the roads.
‘It’s heartbreaking to see fans who were sending off their grand final team involved in such a terrible incident,’ he said.
‘My thoughts are with the families and friends of loved ones who have been involved or injured in the crash. I also want to thank emergency services, including police and ambulance, who are responding to this tragedy.
An investigation is underway
‘We’ve seen how this grand final has brought Newcastle together, and I hope the whole community remains united as we continue to respond.’
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has spoken out, saying he had discussed the incident with Minns and expressed his concern for ‘everyone injured or involved in the horrible incident’.
‘Rugby league brings people together, and this should have been a weekend of excitement and pride for Newcastle fans,’ he added.
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor also addressed the ‘devastating’ news.
‘On what should have been a happy community occasion for Newcastle, our thoughts are with the injured, and those assisting at the scene,’ he said.
Police said investigations are continuing.
