Newcastle Link Road

Authorities have sent four rescue helicopters to the scene in Newcastle.

Police say the incident happened on Newcastle Link Road around 9.30am. Officers have confirmed the driver has been arrested.

Thousands of fans had lined the street to farewell the Newcastle Knights bus, which was travelling to Sydney for the final against the Roosters tomorrow.

The team has confirmed the bus has been diverted, posting on Instagram, Due to a major incident, the team bus has been diverted from the planned route.

Emergency services are responding to a major incident in New South Wales after a vehicle struck a crowd of supporters gathered along a highway in Newcastle to farewell the Newcastle Knights Rugby League team ahead of Sunday's National Rugby League grand final.

The crash occurred at approximately 9.30am local time on Saturday, October 3, 2026, near the Transfield Drive roundabout on Newcastle Link Road in Walsand.

Hundreds of loyal fans had lined the roadway to cheer on the team bus as players departed for Sydney.

Police officers immediately arrested the driver at the scene, though investigators have not yet released details regarding the cause of the crash or potential charges.

and three rescue helicopters to the scene.

Initial reports from local officials, including Hunter Area Member of Parliament Dan Rapacoli, confirmed that at least seven people, including children, suffered serious injuries when the vehicle collided with spectators.

Paramedics established a triage point on Newcastle Link Road to treat victims before airlifting and transporting the most critical patients to nearby regional hospitals.

Authorities shut down the highway in both directions between Lake Road and Minmei Road to secure the crash site and allow rescue helicopters to land directly on the roadway.

Righto.

The Link Road, Newcastle Link Road.

We're probably west of Wallsend, climbing the hill towards the freeway.

We drove down there to have a look at the crowds.

Five to 10, just for our network stations, we are reorganizing our gr- our commercial breaks here so we can give you this very important breaking story.

In fact, I've got 2GB's traffic reporter, Will Bottom, on the line.

Uh, this is a major incident unfolding on Newcastle Link Road at Wallsend after reports of a vehicle having struck multiple pedestrians.

Uh, g'day, Will.

With the latest from the SBS Newsroom, I'm Yasmeen Al-Wakal.

Up to seven people, including one child, have been seriously injured after a vehicle was reported to have struck multiple pedestrians on Newcastle Link Road in Walsand.

The Westpac rescue helicopter has been at the scene, with patients being brought to John Hunter Hospital.

It is understood that two people are in a serious condition and two are critical, including the child.

I want to bring in Assistant Commissioner Dave Waddell.

He's, I think, arrived at the scene of where this tragedy has unfolded this morning at Wall's End on Newcastle Link Road.

He's on the line with us now.

Assistant Commissioner, good afternoon to you, sir.