Newcastle Knights crash live: Young girl critical as car hits grand final gathering, injuring 10 - ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

First responders, state politicians and Newcastle Mayor Gavin Morris have spoken about the "ripple effect" of today's tragedy impacting the Hunter Region.

It will be on the minds of the Newcastle Knights players as they prepare for Sunday's NRL grand final against the Sydney Roosters, but its impact will be felt for a long time to come.

We are awaiting updates on the condition of two critically injured people, who are being treated at the John Hunter Hospital.

They are a five-year-old girl and a 67-year-old man, both passionate supporters of their local Rugby League team.

The incident happened about 9:30am on the Newcastle Link Road, as fans waited for the Knights' team bus to pass them.

NSW Police say the 18-year-old driver who crashed into a crowd of Newcastle Knights fans at Wallsend had allegedly been driving "erratically".

Assistant Commissioner David Waddell said police expected to lay charges later today after 10 people were injured, two critically.

Here's an ABC News explainer that outlines what unfolded in the NSW Hunter Region today.

Newcastle Mayor Gavin Morris says his thoughts are with the people who were hurt in the crash this morning.

"What began as a morning of pride and celebration for Novocastrians to support our Newcastle Knights has now been marked by a very serious incident, and as a community, we're heartbroken," he said in a statement.

"My thoughts are with the people who were hurt, their families and loved ones, as well as those who were there and saw it, many of whom were children and families there to cheer on the team.

"This terrible incident is hard, and it's OK to feel it.

"In the days and weeks ahead, we as the Newcastle and Hunter community need to come together with heart, soul and empathy.

"We are a strong community and we will support each other."

The incident happened at Wallsend, which is one of Newcastle's western suburbs, about 11km from the city centre.

Fans lined the side of Newcastle Link Road, which was closed in both directions between Lake Road and Minmi Road, after a BMW allegedly lost control, injuring 10 people.

But all lanes of the key thoroughfare have now reopened, with traffic conditions returning to normal through the area.

For the latest traffic information, visit www.livetraffic.com or download the Live Traffic NSW app.

Tim Troon, NSW Ambulance's acting associate director of clinical operations, has offered a word of thanks to Newcastle Knights fans who helped emergency services at Wallsend.

Ten people were injured when a BMW crashed into NRL supporters who lined the Newcastle Link Road to cheer the team bus as it headed south to Sydney.

"We did get a lot of bystander support throughout the incident," Mr Troon said.

"It made things a lot easier [for emergency services] as a result.

"So there's thanks to emergency services, but I'd like to thank all the people involved."

Two people remain in critical condition — a five-year-old girl and 67-year-old man — at John Hunter Hospital, with the other eight with non-life threatening injuries.

"The rest of the patients were down to scratches and bruises ... things like that," Mr Troon said.

He added that the impact of the incident would be felt for a long time to come across the Hunter.

"It ripples through the community these sorts of events."

Eyewitnesses have reported the driver of the BMW convertible revved the car before allegedly losing control and crashing into a group of people.

The 18-year-old driver was arrested on the spot shortly after.

We're hearing more from the fans who lined the roads at Wallsend, hoping to catch a glimpse of their Newcastle Knights heroes as the team bus drove the two hours south to Sydney ahead of Sunday's NRL grand final against the Sydney Roosters.

Knights supporter Carolyn Clark was safely away from the spot where a BMW, driven by a P-plater, allegedly lost control and ploughed into fans, injuring 10.

She said the mood quickly changed when news filtered through about the tragedy.

“Everyone was euphoric, there were thousands on the touch footy fields, everyone was so happy, with painted cars, painted trucks, lots of colourful flags and cheering," Ms Clark told ABC Radio Newcastle.

"Then we were all sort of wondering what was going on and reports were filtering through about the accident.

"We heard the bus was going to be diverted. It was hard explaining to the kids that we had to go home [and that they wouldn't see the players], but everyone was really good about it.

"We just all looked at each other and went home."

Journalists are putting questions to the authorities now.

Assistant Commissioner David Waddell is asked whether bystanders got to the driver before police.

"Look, certainly the crowd jumped, came forward, and I suppose we will investigate that," he says.

"Our detectives will investigate any other offences that may have been committed.

"But certainly there was a fair bit of angst there from the crowd, who provided first aid and even CPR to different people."

Assistant Commissioner David Waddell says there were two others in the car with the driver.

"We had [to get] them out of there because the crowd did turn on them," he says.

Waddell says the driver is now at a police station, "where he will be dealt with and likely charged later today".

Jenny Aitchison, the NSW Minister for Roads, has joined Police Minister Yasmin Catley in talking about this morning's incident at Wallsend.

Ten Newcastle Knights fans were injured and two remain in a critical condition at John Hunter Hospital.

Ms Aitchison says it was a "terrible situation" and expressed her "concern and compassion for everyone affected".

"It could have been so much worse," she says.

"Just two days ago, we were emphasising the important message of road safety.

"One person made a decision in a split second that put everyone at risk."

Ms Aitchison has thanked emergency services for responding so quickly to the incident.

"Their actions have made such a difference. Thank you for your service to the community," she says.

Police Minister Yasmin Catley says what occurred this morning was a preventable tragedy.

"You know, two days ago the ... [Minister for Roads, Jenny] Aitchison and I stood with police calling on motorists, calling on drivers to drive safely on our roads over the long weekend," she says.

"We knew that this weekend would be a busy weekend. We knew that people would be out celebrating the wonderful achievements of the Newcastle Knights, and we set out warnings about driver behaviour and how important driver behaviour is."

She is urging people to drive responsibly and take their time on the roads.

"It is an absolute tragedy, a tragedy that needn't have happened, a tragedy that was preventable."

We're standing by for a press conference with Police Minister Yasmin Catley.

We'll bring you the updates as soon as they come to hand.

The captain of the Newcastle Knights, Kalyn Ponga, has expressed his support for those injured in the accident.

"Our hearts are with everyone affected in Wallsend this morning," he wrote on Instagram.

"We're thinking of you, your families and everyone in our Newcastle community.

Video shared on social media shows police arresting a man at the scene of the crash.

Federal opposition leader Angus Taylor has taken to X to thank police and emergency services for their quick response to the 10 people injured at Wallsend.

Taylor described it as a "terrible incident" that was "devastating" for the Newcastle Knights supporters who had gathered to farewell the team as it travelled to Sydney ahead of Sunday's NRL grand final against the Roosters.

Two people — a five-year-old girl and a 67-year-old man — remain in a critical condition at John Hunter Hospital.

"On what should have been a happy community occasion for Newcastle, our thoughts are with the injured and those assisting at the scene," Taylor said.

NRL executive chair Peter V'landys says they are working with police to understand the circumstances surrounding the crash.

"We are deeply saddened by the incident near Wallsend," Mr V'landys says.

"Our thoughts are very much with those injured and anyone impacted by these events, not to mention the entire Knights community who have come together in jubilation to support their team."

Police will address the media in Wallsend later this hour.

We expect to hear from Assistant Commissioner David Waddell, as well as Police Minister Yasmin Catley, Roads Minster Jenny Aitchison and NSW Ambulance Acting Associate Director of Clinical Operations Tim Troon.

We'll bring you the updates as they come to hand.

Carolyn Clark gathered to cheer and send the Knights bus off,  telling ABC Newcastle on arrival, the mood was euphoric.

"We turned the corner hoping to walk down to the touch footy fields and we just couldn't even get through," she said.

"It was just packed with people. We could see thousands down on the touch footy fields and everyone was just euphoric.

"We got down to the service station and decided to wait there so we might catch them as the bus stopped at the lights.

"Everyone was so happy as the cars were going past. There were painted cars, painted trucks and flags on cars and people honking all the way, and people would cheer as they went past.

"It was pretty much bumper to bumper as people were going through, so it gave us an opportunity to really cheer as people went past."

Carolyn said about 9:30am the mood turned from jubilation to devastation.

"But then ... there were at least six ambulances and police cars and fire brigades going through and we were all just wondering what was going on.

"There were reports starting to filter through that there'd been an accident and that the bus was going to be diverted.

"Everyone had to dissipate and people were really good about it, but it was just really sad."

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, a noted rugby league fan, says the federal government has offered support to the NSW premier, and praised the swift reaction from emergency services.

"My thoughts are with everyone injured or involved in the horrible incident this morning in Newcastle," he says.

"Rugby league brings people together, and this should have been a weekend of excitement and pride for Newcastle fans.

" I have spoken to the NSW Premier Chris Minns and offered our support."