# Newcastle Knights fan accident in Wallsend > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/newcastle-knights-fan-accident-in-wallsend > Updated: 2026-10-13T06:47:01.000Z. Sources: 105. Developments: 3. As the Newcastle Knights prepared for their first NRL Grand Final appearance in 25 years, local residents expressed their support by painting homes in the club’s signature red and blue colours. However, the celebrations were interrupted when a vehicle struck a crowd of supporters in Wallsend on a Saturday morning, October 3. The incident occurred at approximately 9:30 am at the Transfield Drive roundabout on Newcastle Link Road as fans gathered to farewell the team bus. Emergency services, including ten ambulances and three helicopters, responded to the scene to transport victims to John Hunter Hospital. Reports indicate that at least ten people were injured, including several young children. Among the injured, a 67-year-old man and a five-year-old girl were reported to be in critical condition. Following the incident, the Knights team bus was diverted to an alternate route. Police increased patrols in the Newcastle and Hunter regions to manage safety during the grand final weekend. The driver, identified as 18-year-old Indika Bambrick Samarasinghe, was arrested at the scene. Authorities stated the driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle after driving erratically; some reports suggest he may have been revving the engine in excitement. While some witnesses suggested the driver may have been performing a burnout, police confirmed the incident does not appear to be a targeted or terror-related attack. Following further investigations, Samarasinghe now faces a total of 17 charges, including dangerous and negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and six counts of causing bodily harm by misconduct. The five-year-old girl reportedly underwent multiple operations and was placed in an induced coma. Samarasinghe has since been granted bail to a residence in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. ## Claims - Nine people were treated and transported to John Hunter Hospital. (disputed by 16 sources) - Ten people were injured in the crash, including three children. (disputed by 12 sources) - The driver of the vehicle was arrested at the scene. (corroborated by 35 sources) - The incident occurred at approximately 9:30 am on Saturday, October 3. (corroborated by 26 sources) - Two people, including a five-year-old girl, remain in critical condition. (corroborated by 24 sources) - Police do not believe the incident was a targeted or terror-related attack. (corroborated by 21 sources) - The team bus was diverted via an alternate route to Sydney for the NRL grand final. (corroborated by 20 sources) - A vehicle struck multiple people in a crowd at the Transfield Drive roundabout on Newcastle Link Road. (corroborated by 19 sources) - The Premier expressed his thoughts to the families and friends of those involved in the crash. (corroborated by 17 sources) - The driver was an 18-year-old supporter who allegedly lost control of his vehicle. (corroborated by 14 sources) - 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/s (corroborated by 6 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-13: Newcastle driver faces 17 charges after hitting supporters An 18-year-old driver faces 17 total charges after allegedly driving into Newcastle Knights supporters, injuring ten people, including a five-year-old girl. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/newcastle-driver-faces-17-charges-after-hitting-supporters ### 2026-10-03: Newcastle Knights fans injured after car crashes into crowd Ten people, including three children, were injured when a car struck Newcastle Knights supporters in Australia during a team farewell. An 18-year-old driver has been charged following the crash. 94 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/newcastle-knights-fans-injured-in-car-crash-at-wallsend ### 2026-09-29: Newcastle fans paint homes in club colours ahead of Knights Grand Final Newcastle fans are painting their homes in red and blue to celebrate the Newcastle Knights reaching their first NRL Grand Final in 25 years. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/newcastle-fans-paint-homes-in-club-colours-ahead-of-knights-grand-final-1 --- Cite as: Newcastle Knights fan accident in Wallsend. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/newcastle-knights-fan-accident-in-wallsend