Car drives into crowd of fans in Australian Newcastle

A car drove into a crowd of fans in Newcastle, Australia, several people were hospitalized, ABC News reported.

The accident occurred at about 9:30 local time (02:30 GMT) on Newcastle Link Road in the Wallsend area, where fans gathered along the road to conduct the Newcastle Knights rugby team before the final match. After the crash, ten ambulances and three helicopters arrived.

“Several people have been injured and are now receiving assistance on the ground. The driver of the car was detained on the spot, police said.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minnes called the incident "heartbreaking." "It is heartbreaking to see the fans who escorted their team to the final involved in such a horrific incident," he said.

Newcastle Knights said a "major incident" caused the team's bus to deviate from its planned route. "We apologise to everyone who waited and didn't see the guys, but public safety is our priority," the statement said.

According to news.com.au, at least nine people were injured. Two are in critical condition, including a young girl who has suffered cardiac arrest.

Labour MP Daniel Repacholi suggested the driver had lost control after a bernout (drawing wheels).

“The car reportedly went out and lost control, crashing into dozens of people.” Many people, including children, were seriously injured, he wrote on social media.

Newcastle Knights is an Australian rugby club playing in the National Rugby League (NRL). The team became the champion twice - in 1997 and 2001.

In June, a car drove into a crowd of fans in Mexico's Cabo San Lucas after a World Cup match. 17 people were injured, one of them was in intensive care. According to N+, the car first tried to drive through the crowd surrounding it, and then sharply gained speed and hit several people.