Ten individuals were injured on Saturday morning after a vehicle struck a crowd in Newcastle, Australia. Among the victims, a 5-year-old girl and a 67-year-old man are in critical condition, according to New South Wales police.
The incident occurred at approximately 9:30 a.m. local time in Newcastle, a city located about 100 miles north of Sydney. The area was filled with spectators gathering for a procession honoring the Newcastle Knights rugby team ahead of their grand final appearance.
Police confirmed that the remaining eight injured parties were hospitalized in stable condition. This group includes another 5-year-old girl and a 2-year-old child, while the ages of the other victims range from 24 to 63 years old.
Authorities arrested an 18-year-old driver at the scene. Emergency responders, including traffic patrols and paramedics, arrived promptly to treat several individuals on-site.
Newcastle Mayor Gavin Morris told ABC News Australia that initial reports indicate the driver may have been revving the engine before losing control of the vehicle, causing it to slide sideways into the crowd. The crash forced the closure of Newcastle Link Road in both directions and disrupted the planned route of the sports procession.
In a statement, the Newcastle Knights expressed their solidarity with those affected. “Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by the incident, including those at the scene and their families,” the team said.
Prayers for the little girl and the elderly man. Hope they pull through, given their conditions are critical.
An eighteen-year-old causing this much damage? Maybe stricter licensing for high-performance vehicles is needed.
I was following the Newcastle Knights parade route yesterday. So glad I wasn’t there. This is terrifying.
Is it confirmed if the driver intended this or was it purely mechanical failure? The revving detail is worrying.
Heartbreaking to see children hurt at a sports event. Sending love to the families of the two critical victims.