Live: Chaos at grand final gathering as car hits crowd, driver arrested

Recap Here is a summary of this morning's events:Nine people have been injured after a car collided with a crowd of Newcastle Knights supporters in Wallsend about 9.30am.NSW Ambulance said nine people were injured. That included two people who were in critical conditions, one of whom was stable.Witnesses have reported the driver had been revving their engine and lost control of the vehicle.The driver was arrested by police at the scene.The Knights coach was diverted following the incident and has now arrived in Sydney. Sat 3 Oct 2026 at 12:30pmSat 3 Oct 2026 at 12:30pm📹: 'We'll do what we do best', mayor saysSpeaking with ABC News earlier, Newcastle Mayor Gavin Morris said the community would "come together for each other".Sat 3 Oct 2026 at 12:19pmSat 3 Oct 2026 at 12:19pm📷 Emergency services on sceneFour helicopters and 15 ambulances were deployed to the incident, NSW Ambulance says.(ABC News: Piper Duffy)(ABC News: Piper Duffy)Sat 3 Oct 2026 at 12:11pmSat 3 Oct 2026 at 12:11pmNewcastle Knights give brief statement through director of football Chris JamesThe Newcastle Knights have given a brief statement about the crash, saying the club is "aware of the traffic incident that occurred this morning in Wallsend".The statement came from Chris James, the Knights' director of football."Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by the incident, including those at the scene and their families," the statement says."As this is a matter for NSW Police, the club will not be making any further comment at this time."Sat 3 Oct 2026 at 12:07pmSat 3 Oct 2026 at 12:07pm'Everyone was yelling, screaming for help'Newcastle Knights fan Dylan Prior told ABC News that he witnessed the incident at Wallsend.He was with his two young daughters and his mother, having arrived at 8:30am, with the expectation that the Knights' team bus would go by around 10am.He said the mood was upbeat, with "everyone there, cheering and beeping".But at around 9:30am, he said he was shocked to see the accident unfold."A BMW came around the corner, it was revving a bit, and it ran into a group of people," Mr Prior said."We've had a bit of rain here, and weather played a part in it."I saw some young kids go flying, and people running to help the victims."Everyone was yelling and hysterical, yelling at the driver."They were screaming for help."Mr Prior said there was only one police officer on site, and he quickly joined the effort to help the victims."But I wish there had been more police around. This could have been avoided if more police were in sight," he said."The mood is very deflated at the moment. I can't help but think of the victims."Sat 3 Oct 2026 at 12:04pmSat 3 Oct 2026 at 12:04pm📹: Newcastle Mayor provides update on driverNewcastle Mayor Gavin Morris has told ABC News the driver of the vehicle was reportedly revving his engine before the crash."He was excited, he was a supporter, he was, you know, a fan, he was there for the joy of the moment as well," he said."Somehow, yes, he has lost control of the car."Sat 3 Oct 2026 at 11:55amSat 3 Oct 2026 at 11:55amWhat we know so farThe details of the incident are still emerging, but here is what has been confirmed:Fans of the Newcastle Knights had gathered along roads in Wallsend, Newcastle, to see the team off as they made their way into Sydney for the NRL grand finalAbout 9.30am, a car travelling on Newcastle Link Road collided with a crowd of supportersNine people have been injured, with NSW Ambulance saying one person is in a critical condition, and another is critical but stableAll nine have been taken to John Hunter HospitalEmergency services, including four helicopters and 15 ambulances, raced to the scenePolice say the driver was arrested at the sceneSat 3 Oct 2026 at 11:42amSat 3 Oct 2026 at 11:42amSeveral injured after car hits crowd of Newcastle Knights supportersNine people have been injured after a car hit a crowd of Newcastle Knights supporters this morning.The crowd had gathered as part of a pre-grand final farewell to the team at Wallsend.Police have arrested the driver.Stay with us as we bring you the latest updates.