Car reverses into packed netball court, woman fighting for her life

A WOMAN is fighting for her life after she was struck by a car and pinned against a fence at a Sydney sports facility.

A NSW Ambulance spokeswoman said a 66-year-old woman and a 62-year-old man were struck by a car driven by an elderly woman at the Bellingara Netball Courts in Miranda, about 10am on Saturday.

The 73-year-old female driver was reportedly parking her car when it reversed into a packed netball court and struck several spectators.

A woman was pinned between the back of the car and a fence until members of the public were able to free her, according to NSW Police. She is in a critical condition. The man who was struck was at one stage stuck under the car. He sustained head injuries. Both of those injured have been taken to St George Hospital.

Chief Inspector Gary Ford of the Sutherland Shire Police Area Command said it appeared the driver “may have hit the accelerator instead of the brake” while “trying to park into a parking spot”.

“Doing so, she reversed into two people standing next to a motorcycle,” Mr Ford said.

“It does happen occasionally … unfortunately when it does happen people panic and hit the wrong one again.”

The officer said a “number of kids around here (were) playing netball” and that it was lucky the fence was in place.

All morning netball games at the courts have been cancelled.

Sutherland Shire Mayor, Councillor Carmelo Pesce said his thoughts were with the victims of this tragic incident this morning.

“Thank you to all of the emergency services that responded and also to the netball community for their quick actions and response,” he said in a statement.

“I hope that the victims are OK and our thoughts are also with their families.”