Hopes for two of the most severely injured victims of the weekend's horrific crash at Wallsend have grown overnight, as doctors report their conditions have improved.
A 5-year-old girl and 67-year-old man were critically injured, among eight others, on Saturday morning when a car crashed into a crowd of hundreds of Newcastle Knights supporters gathered to farewell the team as they departed for the grand final.
The 18-year-old P-plater alleged to have been behind the wheel has since been charged, and stands accused of a litany of driving offences, police confirmed overnight.
He spent Saturday night in police custody ahead of a bail court appearance on Sunday morning.
Health officials at John Hunter Hospital, where the 10 injured supporters were rushed after the crash, said on Sunday morning, October 4, that the man and child were improving.
Their conditions have been downgraded to serious, Hunter New England Health District chief Tracey McCosker said, and both were stable.
"We extend our sympathies to the families, friends and loved ones of those who were injured at Wallsend," Ms McCosker said.
Doctors were continuing to treat six people from the crash on Sunday, including four who said to be in a stable condition.
The remaining four patients had been discharged, Ms McCosker said.
The alleged driver, who has since been identified in court listings as Indika Bambrick Samarasinghe, has been charged with three counts of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, another three instances of negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, and three further counts of causing bodily harm by misconduct.
Police said Samarasinghe's licence had been suspended and the car had been seized.
Ten people, including three children, were injured when a car entered the roundabout on Newcastle Link Road at the intersection of Transfield Avenue at Wallsend about 9.30am, lost control and crashed into the crowd.
Four other people - a second 5-year-old girl, a 2-year-old girl, a 31-year-old woman and a 48-year-old man - remain in hospital in a stable condition, police said on Saturday night.
The horror accident marred what was supposed to be a weekend's celebration as the Newcastle Knights departed the Hunter bound for Sydney and their first grand final appearance in 25 years.
The team and club officials boarded the bus at the Knights' Centre of Excellence at Broadmeadow just after 9.30am, cheered on by a crowd of supporters.
More than 10,000 of the Hunter's faithful lined the 20 kilometre route that players were expected to take to the motorway under a green-light police escort before the tragedy unfolded at Wallsend.
The route was changed in transit to avoid the scene, as the club was guided by police in real time, while emergency services scrambled at crash site.
Assistant police commissioner David Waddell estimated on Saturday afternoon that the crowd at Wallsend numbered close to 1000 when the car entered the roundabout and crashed.
A highway patrol officer stationed at the intersection, ready to close the road to allow for the bus's passage, was the first on the scene.
NSW Ambulance representative Tim Troon later said, as a dozen ambulances and multiple helicopters arrived, paramedics were met with an "erratic scene".
"There was chaos initially," he said, adding that bystanders had raced to help those injured in the moments after the crash.
"It took a lot of effort just to sort out where the patients were and who was affected."
Assistant commissioner Waddell said officers had to act quickly as the crowd turned on the driver, who he said was known to police, and two others who were in the car at the time of the crash.
Police said the two passengers, aged 18 and 19, were uninjured.
"There was a lot of angst from the crowd, and probably understandably so," he told reporters at the scene. "But likewise, as I said, the crowd jumped in and helped out and provided first aid."
Newcastle Knights boss Peter Parr said in a statement that the club was thinking of the Hunter community, shaken by the tragedy, and all those injured and in care at John Hunter Hospital.
"Our thoughts and prayers are first and foremost with everyone who has been injured, their families and loved ones, and everyone who witnessed what occurred this morning," he said.
"What was meant to be a special morning for our community, thousands of Novocastrians coming together to farewell our team and show their support ahead of the grand final, has understandably turned into a distressing morning.
"We want to thank our incredible fans for the passion and support they showed our team this morning. The scenes across Newcastle demonstrated once again what this football club means to our community."
The Knights teammates similarly sent messages of support to the injured following the incident, including in a flood of posts to injured fan Chris Clancy, who had posted an image of himself from his hospital bed captioned "Up the Knights".
Mr Clancy told the Newcastle Herald on Saturday night that he was awaiting surgery to mend a broken collarbone, and had sustained multiple small fractures to his ribs, spine and foot when he was struck.
Still, he said, his thoughts were for those others who had been injured, and for his nephews Matt and Tom, who he was with and who were briefly treated in hospital with him.
Knights captain Kalyn Ponga said online that "our hearts are with everyone affected in Wallsend this morning".
"We're thinking of you, your families and everyone in our Newcastle community," he said. "Sending our love and support."
Dane Gagai said in a similar post: "Our hearts go out to the families impacted by this situation, and thoughts and prayers are with you."
Hunter New England Health put out an SOS to hospital staff, calling for any who are able to work to assist with the multiple traumas.
Police began investigating and said initial inquiries indicated the incident was not terror related.
"There are no concerns other than this being a tragic incident," Assistant commissioner Waddell told reporters. "There is no suggestion at all that this was targeted or that there was any ill motive."
Newcastle Link Road re-opened Saturday afternoon after hours of closures in both directions as investigators combed the scene.
Police said their investigations were continuing on Saturday night.
One fan, who had travelled to Wallsend from Port Stephens with his children to see the bus leave, said the atmosphere changed dramatically within minutes as emergency crews were seen racing to the scene.
"It was really exciting; everyone was pumped and happy," he said.
"But as more and more emergency vehicles went past, there was a noticeable shift in the crowd's mood.
"People became worried and you just felt the whole atmosphere change from celebratory to fear."
Newcastle lord mayor Gavin Morris said the city was heartbroken.
"There's no doubt about it. This was going to be a big day. It started out so joyous. It's going to be a day of celebration, and in one moment, in one second, a bad decision has a ripple effect," he said.
"So it's tough to go from an extreme high to an extreme low for us, but as I said, I mean, this is what we do well here in Newcastle. You know, we look after each other and we're going to do that."
NSW Premier Chris Minns thanked emergency crews in a statement at the weekend.
"It's heartbreaking to see fans who were sending off their grand final team involved in such a terrible incident," he said.
"My thoughts are with the families and friends of loved ones who have been involved or injured in the crash.
"I also want to thank emergency services, including police and ambulance, who are responding to this tragedy.
"We've seen how this grand final has brought Newcastle and Hunter communities together, and I hope the world community remains united as we continue to respond.
"As large numbers of fans and families make their way down to Sydney for the grand final, please drive safely and take caution on roads."
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the federal government had extended offers of support to the state after speaking with Mr Minns at the weekend.
"Rugby league brings people together, and this should have been a weekend of excitement and pride for Newcastle fans," the Prime Minister said.
"My thoughts are with everyone injured or involved in the horrible incident this morning in Newcastle."
