Two left in critical condition following car crash at Newcastle Knights’ NRL Grand Final send-off

Two people are in critical condition after a vehicle drove into a crowd during the Newcastle Knights' NRL Grand Final send-off on Saturday. A five-year-old girl and a 67-year-old man suffered critical injuries, while eight others were also injured when the car veered off the road into fans gathered to see off the team bus.

An 18-year-old driver was arrested at the scene and is under investigation for alleged erratic driving, with police confirming the incident was not terrorism-related. Following the crash, head coach Justin Holbrook's squad had their bus route diverted ahead of Sunday's Grand Final against the Sydney Roosters.