Source : Perth Now news
Children are among about nine people injured after a car ploughed into Newcastle Knights supporters gathered to farewell their team ahead of the NRL grand final, Newcastle Mayor Gavin Morris says.
A massive emergency response was launched after the vehicle struck fans on Newcastle Link Road at Wallsend about 9.30am on Saturday.
Ten ambulances and three helicopters were deployed to the scene, with Mr Morris telling the ABC some of those injured were believed to be in a critical condition.
“It’s really upsetting. So our thoughts first of all go to the families of those that are injured. We believe that a number of them are critical, including children,” he said.
Thousands of Knights fans had lined the streets on Saturday morning to farewell the team before they travelled to Sydney for the grand final.
Mr Morris said supporters stretched from the Knights’ Centre of Excellence all the way towards the highway, describing the scenes before the crash as “extraordinary”.
“Just half the town, it seemed, was lined from the centre of excellence all the way out to that highway, out to Link Road out to that situation there to farewell the Knights as they head to Sydney,” he said.
Some sections of the crowd were between five and 10 people deep, with the mayor estimating the farewell stretched for about 15km.
“The images that were coming through were so uplifting. You know, it was 510 deep. But also now in hindsight, you saw how much of a precarious situation they were also in that they were sitting right next to the road right on the gutter’s edge,” Mr Morris said.
“So that line-up was huge. It was probably about 15km to the M1 from the centre of Excellence.”
Driver with police as investigation begins
Mr Morris said he had spoken to authorities following the crash and understood the young driver was now with police.
The exact circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.
However, the mayor said preliminary information suggested the driver had been revving the vehicle before losing control and hitting the crowd.
“It appears that he was revving the car in some form. He was excited. He was a supporter. He was a fan. He was there for the joy of the moment as well. And somehow, yes, he has lost control of the car, Mr Morris said.
Mr Morris said witnesses were speaking with police as investigators worked to establish exactly what happened.
“The witnesses are also reporting to police at the moment. So it is under investigation. But it appears that he’s lost control of the car and he’s gone into the crowd and I believe about nine were injured, which sadly also included children,” he said.
“And he’s gone sideways into the crowd. So that is the information that we have at this point.”
Major emergency response
NSW Ambulance initially confirmed several people had been injured, with emergency crews flooding the area after the alarm was raised.
Ten ambulances and three helicopters responded, with the injured taken to John Hunter Hospital.
Mr Morris praised the speed of the emergency response.
“So that is the good news part of the story that those injured were evacuated straight to the John Hunter. The John Hunter is just a short distance from there as well. So by air it would have been a very short turnaround.”
Mr Morris said his thoughts were with those caught up in the incident and their loved ones.
“So it was a very fast response. And our prayers and thoughts and hopes that they pull through are with, you know, the people involved in the incident, but also the family as well.”
Knights bus diverted
The Knights team bus had not yet reached the scene when the crash occurred.
Mr Morris said the bus remained back in the city when authorities were alerted to what had happened, allowing it to be sent along another route.
“But it appears that it was happening ahead of the bus route itself. So the bus was still back in the city, in the suburbs when this has occurred,” he said.
“And then they were alerted on the bus and they were diverted and they went to a different route so they wouldn’t witness what had occurred.”
The Knights also confirmed the last-minute change in a statement to supporters.
“Due to a major incident, the team bus has been diverted from the planned route,” the Knights said in a social media post.
“We apologise to anybody who was waiting and missed the boys, but public safety is our priority.”
Chris Minns speaks out
NSW Premier Chris Minns described the incident as “heartbreaking” as authorities continued to respond.
“Emergency services are on the ground in Newcastle after a serious traffic incident involving pedestrians.
“It’s heartbreaking to see fans who were sending off their grand final team involved in such a terrible incident.
“We’ve seen how this grand final has brought the Newcastle together, and I hope the whole community remains united as we continue to respond.
“As large numbers of fans and families make their way down to Sydney for the grand final, please drive safely and take caution on roads.
“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.”
‘It’s all gone in a moment’
The crash has brought an abrupt change in mood to a city that had spent the week celebrating the Knights’ grand final appearance.
Mr Morris said Newcastle had been transformed by red and blue as residents decorated their homes and businesses ahead of the game.
“It has it’s all gone in a moment hasn’t it. It was an extraordinary week. One of the most magical weeks in Newcastle’s history,” he said.
“It was so beautiful to see everyone coming together. And you know it’s been so wonderful driving around the creativity, everybody using anything that is red and blue in this town.”
But the mayor said the same community spirit would now be directed towards those injured in the crash and their families.
“And I believe now we will come together again in a new way. We’ll come together for the families and those injured, but we’ll come together also for the Knights,” he said.
“It’s obviously shifted the entire mood, but we’ll get through this. We will get through today, and we’ll get through.”
“We’ll do what we do best as Novacastrians and we’ll come together for each other.”
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.
