Two of those injured were taken to hospital in critical condition, according to a New South Wales Ambulance spokesperson. Police said initial indications suggested the incident was not terrorism related.

The incident occurred as fans gathered along local streets to farewell the Newcastle Knights rugby league team, which was due to travel to Sydney for the National Rugby League grand final on Sunday.

Driver arrested at scene

The driver was arrested at the scene in Wallsend, a suburb of Newcastle located about 110 kilometres north of Sydney, the capital of New South Wales.

Authorities said early indications suggested the driver may have lost control of the vehicle before it struck people gathered along the street.

Newcastle Mayor Gavin Morris also said it appeared the driver had lost control of the car.

“It appears that he was revving the car in some form,” Morris said in televised remarks.

Police have not indicated that the incident was a deliberate attack. Initial assessments suggested there was no connection to terrorism.

The circumstances leading up to the collision remain under investigation, including what happened immediately before the vehicle entered the crowd.

Fans gathered to farewell Newcastle Knights

The incident took place as supporters lined streets in Newcastle to farewell the Newcastle Knights rugby league team.

The Knights were scheduled to compete in the National Rugby League grand final in Sydney on Sunday, drawing supporters to the streets as the team prepared for the major match.

The gathering created a large crowd in the area when the car entered and struck people.

The incident disrupted what had been a celebratory occasion for supporters preparing to see their team compete in the country’s biggest rugby league match.

Two people in critical condition

New South Wales Ambulance said two of the injured people were in a critical condition and were taken to hospital.

At least eight other people were also injured in the incident, bringing the reported number of injured to 10.

Emergency services responded to the scene following the collision, while police detained the driver.

The condition of the remaining injured people was not detailed in the information available.

The authorities are continuing to assess the circumstances of the crash and the extent of injuries suffered by those in the crowd.

Police rule out terrorism link in initial assessment

Police said their initial indications suggested that the incident was not terrorism related.

The preliminary assessment is significant because the vehicle entered a crowd in a public place, but investigators have not indicated that the incident was an intentional act of terrorism.

Instead, the initial account from authorities and the Newcastle mayor points towards the possibility that the driver lost control of the vehicle.

However, the investigation is continuing and police will establish the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the driver’s actions before the car struck the crowd.

The arrest of the driver means investigators can also question him as part of their efforts to determine how the collision occurred.

Investigation continues

The incident has left at least 10 people injured, including two in critical condition, after a car entered a crowd during the Newcastle Knights farewell gathering.

Police are examining the circumstances of the crash while the driver remains under arrest.

Mayor Morris’ comments that the driver appeared to be revving the car provide one account of what happened immediately before the collision, but investigators will determine the sequence of events.

With the Newcastle Knights preparing for the NRL grand final in Sydney, the incident occurred during a major gathering of supporters in the city.

Authorities are expected to establish whether the driver lost control because of a mechanical, driving or other factor as the investigation progresses.