Brief

18-year-old driver crashes into rugby fans crowd in Sydney, injuring 10

Police say an 18‑year‑old was arrested after his car struck fans of the Newcastle Knights, injuring ten people, two of them in critical condition.

By Felo News Desk · Published Sat, 03 Oct 2026 08:48:24 GMT

An 18‑year‑old driver crashed a car into a crowd of Newcastle Knights supporters north of Sydney on Saturday, injuring ten people, police said.

What happened

Witnesses said a vehicle entered a road where fans were standing to cheer the rugby team. The impact struck ten members of the crowd. Two victims – a five‑year‑old girl and a 67‑year‑old man – were taken to hospital in critical condition; the remaining eight were listed as stable, including another five‑year‑old girl and a two‑year‑old girl.

What the reports add

Both the New York Post and the Winnipeg Free Press, citing New South Wales police and the Associated Press, reported that the driver was arrested at the scene. The New York Post noted that officials do not believe the crash was related to terrorism. The Winnipeg Free Press did not provide a casualty count beyond “multiple people,” but confirmed the driver’s arrest.

What was said

New South Wales police said the driver, an 18‑year‑old man, was taken into custody and that the incident was not being treated as a terrorist act. The New York Post quoted police statements that the crash was under investigation.

How it came about

Fans had gathered on a street to cheer the Newcastle Knights as the team trained in the area, a practice that has drawn large crowds in recent weeks. Earlier this month, Felo News covered road‑safety concerns involving young drivers in the UK, highlighting the risks of inexperienced motorists on public roads. While the Sydney incident involves a different jurisdiction, the pattern of young drivers being involved in serious crashes provides broader context for the ongoing discussion of driver safety.

Key facts

Ten people were injured when a car drove into a crowd of Newcastle Knights fans north of Sydney. (nypost.com)
Two victims – a five‑year‑old girl and a 67‑year‑old man – were in critical condition. (nypost.com)
An 18‑year‑old driver was arrested at the scene. (nypost.com)
Police do not believe the crash was related to terrorism. (nypost.com)