A car struck a crowd of Newcastle Knights fans waiting to farewell the team bus ahead of Sunday’s NRL Grand Final, with NSW Police confirming several people were injured and the driver was arrested at the scene. Emergency services were called to Newcastle Link Road at the Transfield Drive roundabout in Wallsend at about 9.30am Saturday after reports a vehicle struck multiple people in a crowd. NSW Ambulance confirmed nine people were treated and transported to hospital, including one in critical condition and one critical but stable, with the Sydney Morning Herald reporting children among those injured.
NSW Police said emergency services were called to Newcastle Link Road at the Transfield Drive roundabout in Wallsend at about 9.30am on Saturday, 3 October 2026, after reports a vehicle struck multiple people in a crowd, according to The Guardian and the Sydney Morning Herald.
Police said: “Several people have been injured and are currently receiving treatment at the scene.” The driver was arrested at the scene. SMH reported multiple people were struck, including children, with some treated at the scene and others taken to John Hunter Hospital.
NSW Ambulance, via Brisbane Times live updates, confirmed nine people were treated and transported to hospital: one in critical condition, one critical but stable, and the remaining injured stable. An ambulance spokesperson said those injured were of varying ages. ABC News reported 10 ambulances and three helicopters at the scene.
Newcastle Link Road was closed in both directions. Police asked members of the public to safely disperse and keep roadways clear. newy.com.au reported police expected the road to remain closed for some time while inquiries continued, and that the team bus had departed Newcastle.
What police and clubs have said
NSW Police acknowledged many loyal supporters may have missed the opportunity to see the team and show their support, thanked the community for its patience and cooperation, and asked fans to leave the area.
The Newcastle Knights said on Instagram that the grand final procession had been diverted because of a major incident, apologising to fans who missed farewelling the side and stating that “public safety is our priority.” SMH reported the bus heading to Sydney for Sunday’s grand final against the Sydney Roosters had been diverted and had left Newcastle.
Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery said she was aware of a vehicle colliding with pedestrians while fans were cheering the team coach, that emergency services were on site, that Link Road was closed both ways, and that people should avoid the area.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said: “It’s heartbreaking to see fans who were sending off their grand final team involved in such a terrible incident.” He said his thoughts were with the families and friends of those injured, thanked emergency services responding to “this tragedy,” and added: “We’ve seen how this grand final has brought Newcastle together, and I hope the whole community remains united as we continue to respond.”
Unconfirmed / developing
Brisbane Times attributed comments from Newcastle Mayor Gavin Morris (ABC TV) that children were among the injured and that the driver was believed to be a Knights fan who lost control after “revving the car,” with the matter “under investigation.” Federal MP Dan Repacholi similarly said the driver was believed to have lost control. Those are mayor and MP comments — not established police findings.
Also unconfirmed at package time: exact ages of those injured; any charges against the driver; motive or whether the collision was accidental or deliberate (TSB does not speculate); fatalities — none confirmed by police, NSW Ambulance or major outlets checked.
This is a developing story. Further official updates from NSW Police and NSW Ambulance should be checked before any publish decision.
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