Agencies | Melbourne:
Ten people, including three children, were injured after a car crashed into a crowd of rugby league supporters in the eastern Australian city of Newcastle on Saturday, police said.
New South Wales Police said two of the injured—a five-year-old girl and a 67-year-old man—were in critical condition, while the other eight were in stable condition in hospital.
Police said the 18-year-old driver had been arrested and an investigation was underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash. The incident was not believed to be related to terrorism, police said.
The crowd had gathered to farewell the local rugby league side, the Newcastle Knights, ahead of their grand final against the Sydney Roosters on Sunday.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Gavin Morris said the driver was a rugby league supporter who had apparently lost control of the vehicle and was taken into custody.
“He was revving the car, he was excited, he was a supporter, he was there for the joy of the moment,” Morris told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
“Somehow he lost control of the car … and he’s gone into the crowd,” he added.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed concern for those injured in the incident.
“My thoughts are with everyone injured or involved in the horrible incident this morning in Newcastle,” Albanese said in a social media post.
“Rugby league brings people together, and this should have been a weekend of excitement and pride for Newcastle fans,” he added.
The investigation into the crash is continuing.
