Ten people have been injured, two of them critically, after a vehicle hit a crowd on the route of the Newcastle Knights' grand final procession in New South Wales.
Emergency services were called to Newcastle Link Road, at the Transfield Drive roundabout near the suburb of Wallsend, about 9.30am local time (12.30pm NZT) after reports a vehicle had struck multiple people in a crowd.
A five-year-old girl and a 67-year-old man remain in a critical condition, NSW Police said in an updated statement.
The other eight injured are in a stable condition. They are another 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 and a 57-year-old man.
NSW Police said in a statement that the driver "was arrested at the scene". The driver, an 18-year-old man on his P-plates (a provisional licence), had been taken to hospital for mandatory testing.
Police said initial inquiries indicated the crash was not believed to be terror related.
Paramedics treated the injured at the scene. Police have not said how many people were hurt or how seriously.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District were on scene, along with Traffic and Highway Patrol Command officers and NSW Ambulance paramedics.
Police closed Newcastle Link Road in both directions. A police spokesperson said the road was "expected to remain closed for some time while inquiries continue".
Organisers diverted the procession for the NRL club along a different route, and the team bus had since left Newcastle, police said.
"Police acknowledge many loyal supporters may have missed the opportunity to see the team and show their support," the spokesperson said.
Police asked people to leave the area safely and keep roads clear for emergency services and traffic management.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said it was heartbreaking to see fans seeing their team off involved in a terrible accident.
"My thoughts are with the families and friends of loved ones who have been involved or injured in the crash," he said in a statement.
"We've seen how this grand final has brought Newcastle together, and I hope the whole community remains united as we continue to respond."
Newcastle is about 160km north of Sydney.
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