A teen of Sri Lankan origin has been charged after his car hit crowd of rugby fans in Australia

A teenager of Sri Lankan origin has been arrested and charged after he ploughed his car into a crowd of rugby league fans in Newcastle, Australia.

Australian media outlet, News.com.au, identified the suspect as Indika Bambrick Samarasinghe, reporting that he faces multiple charges, including three counts each of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, and causing bodily harm by misconduct.

It was also reported that 10 individuals, including three children, were injured in the incident.

Background

The incident is reported to have taken place around 9:30 a.m. on Saturday (October 3) when fans assembled to bid farewell to the Newcastle Knights ahead of their National Rugby League final in Sydney.

Police say that Samarasinghe lost control of the vehicle, striking several supporters, with those injured ranging from two to 67 years of age.

They also said that the incident is not believed to have been deliberate, with an officer adding that the vehicle had been driven “erratically” before the crash.

News.com.au also reported that court records showed Samarasinghe’s driving licence had been suspended in February – which he had unsuccessfully appealed in April.

Among the most seriously injured was a five-year-old girl who suffered a cardiac arrest, after which she was placed in an induced coma with her condition deemed serious but stable on Sunday morning.

A 67-year-old man who was initially in critical condition is now reportedly no longer critical.