Friday, October 2, 2026 - Ten people have been injured after a car crashed into a crowd of rugby league supporters in Newcastle, Australia, on Saturday morning.
The crowd had gathered to farewell the Newcastle Knights before their NRL grand final against the Sydney Roosters. Two of those injured, a five-year-old girl and a 67-year-old man, are in critical condition, while eight others, including two young children, are in stable condition.
Police arrested the 18-year-old driver at the scene and said they were investigating the circumstances of the crash. Authorities said the incident was not believed to be related to terrorism.
NSW Police said the driver appeared to have lost control of the vehicle before it struck people gathered near the procession route. Emergency services responded rapidly, with multiple ambulances and helicopters taking injured people to hospital.
The crash abruptly changed what had been planned as a major celebration for Newcastle fans ahead of Sunday’s grand final.
Newcastle officials and the Knights expressed support for those injured and their families, while Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese thanked emergency workers responding to what he described as a “horrible incident.” The investigation remains ongoing as police work to establish exactly how the vehicle entered the crowd.
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