TEEN DRIVER DENIED BAIL OVER NEWCASTLE CRASH INJURING TEN

A court has refused bail to Indika Bambrick Samarasinghe, 18, after a car he was allegedly driving struck a crowd of Newcastle Knights supporters near a roundabout on Saturday morning, injuring ten people. Samarasinghe, a provisional licence holder, was taken to hospital for mandatory testing before being charged with nine offences, including dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, negligent driving and causing bodily harm by misconduct. He made no application for release during a brief court appearance on Sunday, and the judge also endorsed a warrant for a health assessment. The bail court heard the most serious charge carries a maximum jail term of seven years. He is next due to appear at Newcastle Local Court on 15 October.

According to Hunter New England Local Health District chief executive Tracey McCosker, six people remain at John Hunter Hospital, with two in a serious condition and four stable. Among them is a five-year-old girl who was placed into an induced coma with critical injuries, though her condition has since stabilised. The crowd had gathered to see off the Newcastle Knights as players travelled to Sydney for the NRL grand final. One of those injured, Chris Clancy, said the crowd had been waving and cheering as cars passed before the vehicle stopped at the roundabout and then accelerated on wet ground. Clancy said he believed he was going to be killed as the car approached.

The community has rallied to support those hospitalised following the crash, according to reports. The case continues through the Newcastle court system, with the next hearing scheduled for 15 October. Authorities have not released further details on the condition of the remaining injured supporters beyond the health district's statement. The dangerous driving charges against Samarasinghe remain before the court.