Driver, 18, who allegedly ploughed into ten people cheering on the Newcastle Knights is charged – as girl, five, remains in a critical condition in an induced coma

An 18-year-old man who allegedly ploughed his gold BMW into a crowd of footy fans cheering on the Newcastle Knights, injuring ten, has been charged.

NSW Police confirmed late on Saturday night the red P-plater was released from hospital and taken to a police station where he was slapped with nine offences.

Indika Bambrick Samarasinghe was charged with 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.

The teenager was held in custody and is due to face court on Sunday. His licence has also been suspended.

Crowds of Knights fans had been waving off the footballers in their team bus ahead of the NRL Grand Final in Newcastle, north of Sydney, when they were struck on Saturday morning.

Emergency services were called to the Newcastle Link Road roundabout on Transfield Avenue at about 9.30am following reports that a vehicle had hit people standing on the pavement after allegedly driving ‘erratically’.

The driver was arrested at the scene and taken to hospital for mandatory testing.

Among the ten people injured is a five-year-old girl who is in a critical but stable condition in an induced coma. 

Ashleigh Gibbs, who is understood to be a relative of the little girl, has launched a GoFundMe to help support the child, along with her mother who was also injured in the crash. 

‘A beautiful five-year-old child is currently in an induced coma after suffering serious injuries and has already required multiple operations,’ she 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.’

Ms Gibbs said funds would go towards medical bills, everyday costs, travel and other unexpected expenses.

‘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 was also in a critical condition but police confirmed that has been downgraded to a serious but stable condition.

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. 

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.’ 

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 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.

‘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.