newy.com.au – Police have laid eight additional charges against the teenage driver accused of striking a crowd of Newcastle Knights supporters at Wallsend, injuring 10 people during the club’s grand final farewell.
The charges, announced on Tuesday, 13 October, include one count each of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, and six counts of causing bodily harm by misconduct while in charge of a motor vehicle.
Indika Bambrick Samarasinghe, 18, was initially charged with nine offences following the crash, comprising three counts in each of those categories. The matter is next listed in Newcastle Local Court on Thursday, 15 October.
Mr Samarasinghe was granted bail on Friday, 9 October, after appearing by video link in Newcastle Local Court. His conditions included a night curfew, a ban on driving, surrendering his passport and living with his mother in Randwick. He had not applied for bail at his first court appearance on 4 October, when bail was formally refused.
Emergency services were called to the Transfield Drive roundabout on Newcastle Link Road about 9.30am on Saturday, 3 October. Supporters had gathered along the route to farewell the Knights before the team travelled to Sydney for the NRL grand final.
The crash disrupted the farewell, with the team bus diverted while emergency services responded. All 10 injured people were treated by paramedics at the scene before being taken to John Hunter Hospital.
Those injured included two five-year-old girls and a two-year-old girl. One of the five-year-olds and a 67-year-old man were initially critically injured, with their conditions subsequently improving.
As reported by Newy on 9 October, three people remained in hospital in stable conditions. Tuesday’s police statement did not provide a further update on the patients.
Police suspended the driver’s P1 provisional licence and seized the car for forensic examination. Specialist officers from the Crash Investigation Unit examined the scene.
The crash also prompted calls for support for witnesses and families. Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery wrote to Mental Health Minister Rose Jackson on 6 October seeking an urgent state-led response, including trauma counselling for children who witnessed the incident.
At Newcastle’s council meeting that evening, councillors expressed sympathy for the injured and thanked bystanders, emergency services and hospital staff.
“Before the sirens arrived, strangers were kneeling beside strangers,” Lord Mayor Gavin Morris told the meeting.
Councillor Callum Pull also urged authorities to review safety arrangements for future team farewells, suggesting barriers at higher-risk locations such as roundabouts and signs warning motorists about pedestrians.
