Newcastle Knights stars swarmed an injured fan's social media post in a flood of well wishes after a day that was supposed to go down in revelry and celebration instead unfolded in tragedy.
Heatherbrae machinery hire worker Chris Clancy had posted early on Saturday morning, October 3, with a scene like the countless that have wallpapered Novocastrian social media this week.
A sea of red and blue as an estimated 1000 of the Knights' faithful gathered at the roundabout on Transfield Avenue on the Newcastle Link Road eager farewell the team bus as it passed on its way to Sydney and the NRL grand final.
Only hours later, he posted again. This time, from his hospital bed at John Hunter where, despite being among the 10 supporters who were injured when an 18-year-old driver careened through the Wallsend intersection and crashed into the crowd, he remained defiant.
Mr Clancy wrote that he had suffered a broken collarbone, requiring surgery, and had a suspected injury to his foot.
He signed off: "Up the Knights".
From his bed on Saturday night, he told the Newcastle Herald that he had been overwhelmed by the flood of well wishes, but his thoughts were with the children who had been injured and, in particular, a critically injured five-year-old girl who doctors said on Sunday was improving.
"I just hope that little girl pulls through," Mr Clancy said. "They can't say much about other patients, which is understandable, but I hope she pulls through."
Mr Clancy had taken his two nephews, Tom and Matt, both of whom are autistic he said, to farewell the Knights on Saturday morning.
Mr Clancy has been a devout supporter since the club was founded in 1988, and has held season passes for years.
When the horror unfolded at the Transfield Avenue roundabout, he thought it was his end.
"It happened in seconds, but when you stand there, seeing the car coming at you, I honestly thought I was going to die. It just felt like slow motion," he said.
In the hours that followed the crash, as police and emergency services combed the scene and the city took stock of the day's tragic turn, the Knights' star players responded to Mr Clancy's post with messages of support for those caught in the aftermath.
"All the best for your recovery, mate," Kalyn Ponga wrote. "The team and the community are with yas."
Second-rower Dylan Lucas, winger Greg Marzhew, Bradman Best, and Phoenix Crossland followed within moments, as current and former titans of the club came from all corners.
Knights royals Danny and Kris Buderus each shared their support, alongside Mat Croker, Tyson Frizell, and a host of teammates, media personalities, local businesses and residents.
Mr Clancy, who was facing surgery and a six to 12 week recovery, had told his doctors last night that they could operate at any time except when the game is on.
"Everyone wrote them (the Knights) off," he said. "They didn't think they would get this far."
"I've told them here to operate any time, but when the game is on I'm unavailable."
During a press conference on Saturday afternoon, in the wake of the devastation, NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley said the club had been kept aware of the unfolding situation and were working closely with officers.
A Newcastle Knights spokesman had told the Herald earlier in the morning that the club was being guided by police in real-time as the team bus departed the city under a green-light escort.
The planned route had to be diverted at the last moment to avoid the crash scene, where emergency services were scrambling even as the bus pulled out of the Knights Centre of Excellence at Broadmeadow.
"We're working hand-in-glove together," Ms Catley told reporters at the scene, adding that planning for the team's return journey was in discussions.
"It's been a horrific start to the long weekend, and what should have been a day of celebration for Newcastle Knights has turned into a situation where 10 people have been injured and two of those critically," Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison said.
"It's just hard to imagine. One thousand people were at the site and one person made a decision that in a split second has put everyone at risk. There's absolute concern and compassion for those victims of this crime, but we also need to make sure that we understand it could have been so much worse."
Lord Mayor Gavin Morris said the city was "heartbroken".
"It was going to be a day of celebration, and in one moment - one second - a bad decision has a ripple effect."
Newcatsle Link Road re-opened on Saturday afternoon.
An 18-year-old driver has been arrested, police have confirmed.
