Thousands of supporters had gathered in Newcastle i Australia to cheer on and bid farewell to the Newcastle Knights rugby team before Sunday’s final in Sydney. Instead of celebration, the morning ended with a car driving into the crowd, resulting in nine people being injured.
According to authorities and police, all of the injured were treated by paramedics at the scene before being taken to hospital. Two of the injured are in critical condition, including a five-year-old girl or infant and a 67-year-old man. The remaining eight people are in stable condition, with five suffering minor injuries and two suffering serious injuries.
Celebration interrupted when car drove into crowd
The incident took place at 9:30 a.m. Australian time in the city, which is about 110 kilometers north of Sydney. The club had previously estimated that up to 100,000 fans lined the streets. The driver, an 18-year-old man, was among the fans himself and was said to have been there to join in the fun.
according to Mayor Gavin Morris The driver revved the engine and was elated shortly before the team arrived. “Somehow he lost control of the car and then he drove into the crowd,” the mayor told public broadcaster ABC.
Police rule out terrorism
The driver was arrested on the spot. Initial investigations and information from the police indicate that the incident is not terror-related.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the federal government has offered support to the New South Wales Premier in connection with the incident.
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