CAR HITS CROWD AT NEWCASTLE RUGBY LEAGUE SEND-OFF, 10 HURT

A car crashed into a crowd of rugby league supporters in Newcastle, Australia, on Saturday, injuring ten people, including three children, New South Wales police said. Police said a five-year-old girl and a 67-year-old man were in a critical condition, while the remaining eight were in a stable condition in hospital. Officers arrested an 18-year-old man who had been driving the vehicle and said they were investigating the circumstances. Police said the crash was not believed to be linked to terrorism. Sky News reported that at least nine people had been hurt, a figure that differs from the police count of ten given by Al Jazeera.

The crowd had gathered to send off the Newcastle Knights ahead of their grand final against the Sydney Roosters, due to take place on Sunday. Newcastle Lord Mayor Gavin Morris told the national broadcaster ABC that the driver was a Knights supporter who had been revving his car in excitement before losing control and ploughing into the crowd. Morris described the driver as someone who had been at the gathering "for the joy of the moment" before the crash occurred. He said the man had since been taken into custody.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his thoughts were with everyone injured or involved in what he called the "horrible incident" in Newcastle that morning. Albanese said in a social media post that rugby league brings people together and that the weekend should have been one of excitement and pride for Newcastle fans. Police inquiries into the cause of the crash were continuing, with no further details released on potential charges. The Knights' grand final against the Sydney Roosters was still scheduled to proceed on Sunday.