Car plows into crowd of rugby fans in Australia, several children injured

A car crashed into a crowd of people in the Australian city of Newcastle on Saturday morning, as fans had gathered to see off the local rugby league team, the Newcastle Knights, ahead of their grand final match in Sydney, according to Australia's ABC News.

The crash occurred at around 9:30 a.m. local time in the suburb of Wallsend, where thousands of supporters had lined the streets. Shortly afterward, the team bus, which had been due to pass by the gathered fans, changed its route.

Fifteen ambulances and three rescue helicopters were dispatched to the scene. Ten people were taken to hospital, including several children. A five-year-old girl remains in critical but stable condition. A 67-year-old man, initially assessed as critical, is now described as serious but stable. Also being treated in stable condition are another five-year-old girl, a two-year-old girl, a 31-year-old woman, and a 48-year-old man. Four other injured people have already been discharged from hospital after receiving treatment.

Police arrested the 18-year-old driver of the car, who faces multiple charges related to driving offenses. He is due to appear in court on Sunday. His driver's license has been suspended, and the car has been seized for forensic examination. Two passengers in the vehicle, aged 18 and 19, were not injured.

Police have said there is currently nothing to suggest the crash was a deliberate attack, and they thanked bystanders who rushed to help the injured and provide first aid immediately after the collision.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns called the incident a tragedy for the Newcastle community, expressing condolences to the victims and their families and thanking emergency responders for their work.