Several people have been injured after a car drove into a crowd of rugby league fans waving to their team's bus, emergency services have confirmed. The incident occurred on Saturday (October 3) at around 9:30am local time in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
Fans gathered to see team off
Supporters of the Newcastle Knights had gathered to wave the team bus off as players and coaches set off for the team's first appearance in the NRL grand final for 25 years. The match, scheduled for Sunday (October 4), will crown the winners of Australia's NRL premiership, the highest honour in club rugby league.
A spokesperson for NSW Ambulance told the Daily Mail: “Several people are injured at this stage and the situation is still evolving.” More than 10 ambulances and three helicopters have reportedly rushed to the scene.
Road closed after incident
New South Wales MP Sonia Hornery issued a statement on the incident, saying: “I've just become aware of an incident involving a vehicle colliding with pedestrians on Newcastle Link Road while knights fans were there to cheer on the team coach. Emergency services are on site. Newcastle Link Road is closed in both directions. Please avoid the area. I hope everyone involved is ok.”
First grand final since 2001
Sunday will be the first time since 2001 that Newcastle will appear in the final, and the New South Wales city has come out in support of the Knights. The team finished bottom of the table in 2025, and has had an unlikely turnaround this year, spearheaded by stellar performances by England winger Dom Young.
