Man Recounts Terror After Car Ploughs Into Fans
Injured supporter describes thinking he would die as vehicle hit crowd before grand final.
Chris Clancy, a 48-year-old Newcastle Knights supporter, recounted the terrifying moments he believed he would die after a car crashed into a crowd of fans on Saturday. Clancy was among those struck by a vehicle while waiting to see the Knights team bus.
Clancy sustained a broken left collarbone, a fractured right foot, broken ribs, and small spinal fractures. He was scheduled for surgery on Sunday afternoon but requested it conclude in time for him to watch the grand final kick-off.
"I honestly thought when the car was coming towards me that I was dead," Clancy told The Sydney Morning Herald. "I thought I was going to die. The car was coming right at me."
He recalled others rushing to his aid. "About half a dozen people helped me up and put me on a seat. A lady by the name of Leanne stayed with me and my nephews," he said.
Clancy expressed anger over the incident, noting, "it was supposed to be a good day." However, he found comfort in the community's support, including a delivery of Knights-themed cookies from a local bakery.
Clancy shared a photo from his hospital bed, captioning it "Up the Newcastle Knights," and received supportive messages from several Knights players, including Phoenix Crossland, Kalyn Ponga, Bradman Best, Tyson Frizell, and Greg Marzhew.
The alleged driver, 18-year-old Indika Bambrick Samarasinghe, a red P-plater, was arrested at the scene in Wallsend. He faces 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 in charge of a motor vehicle.
Samarasinghe did not apply for bail and remains in custody. His next court appearance is scheduled for October 15 at Newcastle Local Court.
Among the other injured individuals were a five-year-old girl, who has since been upgraded from critical to serious but stable condition, a two-year-old girl, and a 31-year-old woman. A grandfather suffered multiple fractures to both legs while shielding his two granddaughters from the vehicle.