Driver Refused Bail

Indika Bambrick Samarasinghe, the 18-year-old driver, appeared before Newcastle Bail Court and did not apply for release. Bail was formally refused, and his case was adjourned until later this month.

The crash injured 10 people, including a five-year-old girl and a 67-year-old man who were critically injured. Four people are still in hospital, with one waiting for surgery.

Chris Clancy, a Knights fan who was injured in the crash, spoke from his hospital bed. He said he felt 'slightly dejected' after the Knights lost the grand final but was proud of the team's performance.

Clancy, who is waiting for surgery on his broken collarbone, expressed gratitude to the person who pushed his nephew out of the way of the incoming car. He also thanked a woman who stayed with him and his nephews and drove his car home.

The Newcastle community has shown support for the victims, with people making teddy bears and launching GoFundMe campaigns. A fundraiser for the five-year-old girl has raised over $43,000, and a fundraiser for the 67-year-old man has also been launched.

Samarasinghe has been charged with three counts of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, three counts of negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, and three counts of cause bodily harm by misconduct. The most serious offence carries a maximum jail term of seven years.

The court heard that Samarasinghe had been driving erratically in the lead-up to the crash. Witnesses could be heard screaming in videos taken at the scene.

The incident occurred on Saturday morning when thousands of people were lining the streets of Newcastle to farewell their grand final-bound Knights.