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A five-year-old girl and a 67-year-old man were in critical condition after a car struck a crowd gathered to farewell the Newcastle Knights in Wallsend, Newcastle, on Saturday, 3 October 2026. In an update timestamped 12:34:10pm, NSW Police said 10 people had been taken to John Hunter Hospital, including eight reported stable.
What happened in Wallsend?
Emergency services were called at about 9:30am on Saturday to Newcastle Link Road at the Transfield Drive roundabout after reports that a vehicle had hit people in a crowd. The gathering was there to farewell the Newcastle Knights team bus ahead of the NRL grand final; the bus was diverted.
NSW Police reported that 10 people were treated at the scene and taken to John Hunter Hospital. Its 12:34:10pm update on 3 October said two remained in critical condition and the other eight were stable at that time.
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The police update identified the two people in critical condition as a five-year-old girl and a 67-year-old man. It reported these eight other patients as stable:
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- A second five-year-old girl
- A two-year-old girl
- A 31-year-old woman
- A 48-year-old man
- A 24-year-old man
- A 63-year-old woman
- A 25-year-old man
- A 57-year-old man
These are conditions reported in the 12:34:10pm police update, not a later medical update. They may change.
What have police said about the driver and investigation?
Police identified the driver as an 18-year-old man on a P-plate licence. They said he had been arrested and taken to hospital for mandatory testing. An arrest is not a conviction; the police update did not establish a formal charge or court outcome.
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- EASY CARE: Prior to training or a match, use a soft cloth, light detergent, and warm water to remove dirt and residue from your rugby ball. All training/practice rugby balls and rugby game balls come deflated. Inflate them to 9.5 psi using a rugby pump, or any ball pump. Gilbert training balls are a great choice for any rugby team or player looking for an uncompromising, high-quality rugby ball.
NSW Police said inquiries into the circumstances had begun. Its initial inquiries indicated the incident was not believed to be terror-related; that is a preliminary police assessment, not a final finding about the cause.
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallABC News quoted NSW Police Assistant Commissioner David Waddell describing the driver as “driving erratically” and saying he had lost control and entered the crowd. This is his reported description, not a settled finding from the investigation. The available police update does not establish the final cause of the collision.
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How have the Knights responded?
Newcastle Knights CEO Peter Parr expressed support for those injured, their families and witnesses, and thanked emergency services and John Hunter Hospital staff. In the club’s statement on 3 October, Parr said: “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.”
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Rank #4
- TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED: A durable rugby practice ball you and your rugby team can trust. Featuring Gilbert's newly patented triangular surface grip pattern, the G-TR4000 represents a major step forward in grip technology on training rugby balls. Tests have shown that this new, more defined pattern is hard wearing and allows the rugby player more surface area contact with the ball when handling.
- AS TOUGH AS YOU: Thanks to its proprietary hydratec technical fabrics and waterproof laminations, the Gilbert rugby ball handles even the roughest conditions, enhancing the life and performance of the ball. Gilbert knows what it takes to produce top quality youth rugby, and adult rugby balls, that will last multiple seasons of heavy use.
- PREMIUM CONSTRUCTION: Preparing for a rugby game is serious business. Our size 5 rugby ball, as well as our size 3 and 4 size rugby ball for kids, feature a 3-ply poly-cotton and cotton laminate panels. This means that our balls will weigh slightly more, perform better on longer kicks and passes, and generally hold its shape better than a ball of 2-ply construction.
- HAND-STITCHED: In addition to our superior triangular grip pattern, and 3 ply poly cotton panels, all Gilbert rugby balls are hand stitched for durability. Pull it out of your rugby bag and trust that It's tough as nails. With over 20 years of experience, Gilbert is a trusted brand, making top-quality training equipment that stands up to the toughest challenges, making it the ultimate rugby game ball.
- EASY CARE: Prior to training or a match, use a soft cloth, light detergent, and warm water to remove dirt and residue from your rugby ball. All training/practice rugby balls and rugby game balls come deflated. Inflate them to 9.5 psi using a rugby pump, or any ball pump. Gilbert training balls are a great choice for any rugby team or player looking for an uncompromising, high-quality rugby ball.
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