Alleged driver in Newcastle parade crash remains behind bars
A teenage P-plate driver remains behind bars after facing court over the fan parade crash at Newcastle that left almost a dozen people injured.
Police allege Indika Samarasinghe, 18, was behind the wheel of a BMW when it lost control and struck people in a crowd at Newcastle Link Road, at the Transfield Drive roundabout, Wallsend, at about 9.30am on Saturday.
Indika Samarasinghe, 18, is facing a number of driving charges after a car crashed into a crowd of people in Wallsend, Newcastle. Supplied
The crowd was assembled to farewell the Newcastle Knights on their trip down to Sydney for the NRL grand final.
Ten people were injured, among them a five-year-old girl who was admitted to hospital in a critical condition but has since been upgraded to serious but stable.
A 67-year-old man who was initially in a critical condition is now serious but stable.
Four other people – a second five-year-old girl, a two-year-old girl, a 31-year-old woman and a 48-year-old man – remain stable in hospital.
Four others – three men aged 24, 25 and 27, and a 63-year-old woman – have since been discharged from hospital.
Ten people were hurt as a car allegedly ploughed into NRL fans in Wallsend in Newcastle, NSW. Nine
Grandfather’s quick-thinking saved girls’ lives
The injured 67-year-old was out with his two granddaughters when the crash occurred.
His quick-thinking actions meant he got the girls out of the way in time and saved their lives.
“I got a call from my dad to say he had been in an accident but my girls were okay,” his daughter said.
A 67-year-old grandfather’s quick-thinking is credited with saving the lives of his two young granddaughters after a car drove into a crowd of Knights fans in Newcastle on Saturday. 9News
“He’s the one who took the hit.”
The man, who can’t be identified, spent hours fighting for life on Saturday before his condition improved late into the evening.
“He would’ve put his life on the line for those little girls, they are his whole world,” the daughter said.
Chris Clancy was also there with his two nephews Thomas and Matthew Webster. They were all struck in the chaos.
“It was meant to be a happy day [and] turned into almost the worst day of my life,” Clancy told 9News.
“I thought I was going to die.”
Clancy suffered several fractures and a broken collarbone. Thomas and Matthew were bruised but okay.
Fans tell of near misses
Knights fans Leanne and Daniel Halsey were in the crowd when the crash happened.
“I think I’m still in a little bit of disbelief, to be honest. It just all happened so quickly,” Leanne told Weekend Today.
“This morning it just sort of it doesn’t feel real, but I know it is.”
Daniel said the car came within less than a metre of the couple.
“And I thought, this is it, we’re gone,” he said.
“Just something you never really want to experience.”
Leanne, who has first aid training, told Daniel to call Triple Zero before setting out to help the injured.
“In hindsight and thinking back, everybody that was there helped in any way they could, whether it was bringing first aid kits, doing first aid, bringing bottles of water to everybody that was there, comforting people,” she said.
Daniel and Leanne Halsey were in the crowd. Today
“Everyone just jumped in to help. We were only two of many that jumped in. And it was heartwarming to see, after the fact.”
Daniel said the sorrow around the accident had flattened the grand final jubilation in the steel city, but the mood was picking up again, particularly with the news of the improving conditions of the hospitalised patients.
“When the Knights bring it home, it’ll be really great to see the town and the community and the whole Hunter to come together,” Leanne said.
‘No suggestion at all it’s targeted’
Samarasinghe, a P1 provisional licence holder who is known to police, was arrested and charged with multiple driving offences, including three counts of dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm.
The 18-year-old P-plater from Randwick previously had his licence suspended in February and unsuccessfully appealed the suspension in April.
The alleged driver was arrested at the scene after the Newcastle Knights fans were injured. 9News
Two other men in the BMW, aged 18, and 19, were unhurt.
Police allege the incident was not deliberate, and the crowd leapt in to help those hurt, even giving CPR.
“He’s driven along here erratically and lost control of the vehicle and it’s gone into the crowd,” NSW Police Assistant Commissioner David Waddell said.
“There’s no suggestion at all it’s targeted or any ill motive.”
Ten people were rushed to hospital after a car crashed into a crowd at Wallsend, Newcastle. 9News
Speaking to Today on Sunday, Waddell said police had been in place for the celebration of the team’s departure.
“We’d had plenty of plans in place. We’ve been working with both the Knights, the local councils and other agencies, not only our own police, but other specialist police are up for the weekend, so there’s plenty of planning in place,” he said.
“But you know, we can’t account for everyone’s actions.“
He said the crash “could have been a lot worse” and that police were re-examining their security approach for the team’s return.
“We’re obviously revising planning based on what happened (yesterday) morning, but certainly, we’ll have significant resources up and about both tonight and over the next couple of days to try and keep the public safe,” he said.
“But we would ask people to please be responsible and take accountability for your actions.”
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