Trauma Support Urged for Newcastle Knights Fans After Car Crash

Trauma experts are calling for a state-led mental health response, including counselling, for witnesses to a car crash into Newcastle Knights fans. The crash occurred on Saturday at a roundabout on Newcastle Link Road, in Newcastle's west, where a crowd of supporters had gathered to farewell the grand-final bound Newcastle Knights NRL team.

Ten people were injured in the crash, with one five-year-old child left in a critical but stable condition. The mood in Newcastle turned from jubilation to devastation as the horror unfolded.

Port Stephens councillor Giacomo Arnott was in the crowd and saw the incident unfold. "It's been on my mind constantly since it happened; it's sort of like a bit of collective trauma that I think everybody's feeling at the moment," he said. "I took a video on my phone as I arrived … 4 minutes before the accident happened."

"It's just really sobering watching that video back and seeing how excited everybody was and then knowing that 10 to 15 minutes later, the hush that fell on the crowd," Arnott added.

Investigating police said they would rely on the crowd's footage as they pieced together what happened. Witnesses have told police they heard revving before the vehicle careered sideways into the crowd.

Vicarious Trauma

Chair of the NSW chapter of the Australasian College of Road Safety Michael Timms said given the size of the crowd gathered, the impacts of vicarious trauma on the fans would be widespread. "In a moment's notice, they have gone from spectators to many of them having jumped in and become first responders," he said.

"There is a need for organised counselling services and avenues where people can just talk about the way they're feeling and just get yourselves back on track," Timms added.

Existing helplines for support include the Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511, with headspace Newcastle and the Newcastle Safe Haven available for those in the area.

Trauma Response

Louise Newman, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Melbourne, said authorities needed to take a "multifaceted approach" to provide support. "It's very important to look at how public authorities and health agencies can best respond," Professor Newman said.

"In the first instance, it really is a matter of identifying people who might be at most risk of any ongoing symptoms and providing an appropriate level of support, as has been called for by the majority of people," she added.

Professor Newman said child witnesses were vulnerable. "Children often need quite a lot of reassurance and they need to talk things through with teacher and counsellor support in their school environment, ideally," she said.

Community Hurting

Sonia Hornery, the state member for Wallsend, where the crash happened, said the community was hurting. She said people needed to be directed to support services they might not know they needed.

"I would certainly support any kind of trauma response from the government and I do believe it is important that we get on the front foot," Ms Hornery said. "I encourage anyone impacted to seek support."

Police Minister Yasmin Catley said the crash was "shocking and has left a lasting impact on our community". She said the rippling trauma was understandable.

"It's important to understand that these events can leave lasting trauma and people feeling anxious, distressed and angry," Ms Catley said.