Newcastle crash defendant granted bail under strict conditions

Indika Bambrick Samarasinghe, the 18-year-old accused after a car struck Newcastle Knights supporters, was granted conditional bail on Oct. 9 and ordered to live with his mother in Sydney.

Judge Trevor Khan made the decision at Newcastle Local Court after Samarasinghe spent six nights in custody. He appeared by video link from Silverwater Correctional Centre. The bail decision does not determine whether he is guilty.

His conditions include living at the family home in Randwick, reporting to police daily and observing an 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew. He must surrender his passport, abstain from alcohol and drugs and stay out of the driver's seat of a vehicle. Access to Newcastle is restricted, with ABC and Australian Associated Press reporting an exception for court attendance.

He faces nine charges, comprising three counts each of dangerous driving, negligent driving and misconduct while controlling a vehicle that caused injuries. The court has yet to determine the allegations.

The crash occurred on Oct. 3 as supporters gathered to farewell the Knights team bus before the grand final. A BMW hit a group beside the road, injuring 10 people. Police are investigating reports about the driving before the vehicle went out of control, and the final cause has not been established.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Samarasinghe's licence was suspended in February 2026 and that an appeal in April was unsuccessful. It was suspended again following the crash. Court proceedings remain ongoing.