Man who allegedly crashed into Newcastle Knights fans granted bail
Quick Look
An 18-year-old P-plater, Indika Bambrick Samarasinghe, was granted bail in Newcastle Local Court after spending six nights in custody for allegedly driving into a crowd of Newcastle Knights fans during grand final weekend, injuring 10 people including a critically injured 5-year-old girl.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The incident occurred during Newcastle Knights fans' celebrations for the team's first NRL grand final appearance in 25 years, when a vehicle struck a crowd at a roundabout on Link Road in Wallsend.
In short:
The 18-year-old P-plater who allegedly struck a crowd of Newcastle Knights fans at Wallsend on grand final weekend has been granted bail after a hearing in Newcastle Local Court.
Indika Bambrick Samarasinghe did not apply for bail at his first court appearance on October 4, and has spent six nights in custody.
What's next?
Mr Samarasinghe is due back in court at the end of the month.
The 18-year-old accused of driving a car that hit and injured 10 Knights fans in Newcastle has been granted bail at a review hearing, after spending six nights in custody.
Indika Bambrick Samarasinghe is facing a total of nine charges, including three counts of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, three counts of negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and three counts of causing bodily harm by misconduct.
He appeared via audiovisual link in Newcastle Local Court today, after his lawyers lodged a bail review application earlier this week.
Thousands of fans had lined the streets of Wallsend to wave the Newcastle Knights off to their first NRL grand final in 25 years, before a car rammed into the crowd at a roundabout on Link Road.
Ten people were hospitalised after the incident and two victims, including a 5-year-old girl, were left in a critical condition at the time.
The court heard Mr Samarasinghe, a P-plater, was seen driving erratically before the crash.
He was arrested soon after the incident and faced court less than 24 hours later.
In his first appearance on October 4, Mr Samarasinghe did not apply for bail, which was formally refused.
He has since undergone a medical assessment in custody.
Hunter New England Health confirmed the conditions of the 10 patients had improved since the incident, and three remain in care in a stable condition.
Calls have been growing for a state-led trauma response to assist the thousands of potential witnesses to the crash.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Indika Bambrick Samarasinghe will face trial on the nine charges including dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm.
Very likely · Within months
The condition of the three hospitalized victims will continue to improve with ongoing medical care.
Likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- What was the exact cause of the erratic driving observed before the crash?
- Will additional charges be filed as the investigation continues?
- What support is being provided to the victims and their families?
- Are there any prior traffic offences on the accused's record?