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Country wedding horror: Ten killed, 25 hospitalised in Hunter Valley bus crash

Ten people are dead and 25 have been injured after a bus loaded with revellers returning from a wedding reception crashed in the NSW Hunter Valley, with police arresting the 58-year-old male driver.

Jun 12, 2023, updated Jun 12, 2023
 As many as 10 people have been killed in a bus crash in the NSW Hunter Valley, police say.  (AAP Image/Darren Pateman)

As many as 10 people have been killed in a bus crash in the NSW Hunter Valley, police say. (AAP Image/Darren Pateman)

The 58-year-old bus driver was taken to hospital for mandatory testing and subsequently arrested with charges expected.

Emergency services were called to the crash site about 11.30pm on Sunday at a roundabout on Wine Country Drive near Greta after reports the coach had rolled.

A total of 10 people were confirmed dead while a further 25 were taken to hospital with varying injuries via air and road ambulances, police said in a statement.

Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Tracy Chapman said it appeared only one vehicle was involved in the crash and that there is “sufficient information” to charge the driver.

“He’s been the driver of a motor vehicle collision where there have been fatal injuries and there will be charges pending,” she said.

The driver was not seriously injured in the crash and was arrested at Cessnock police station after being released from hospital.

Chapman said it was her understanding the bus had been returning from a wedding reception  at Wandin Estate in Lovedale and was heading to Singleton roughly 30 minutes away.

As of 9am the bus remained on its side and Chapman said it was possible the death toll would increase if further people remained trapped under the bus or if those with injuries worsened.

It’s understood some of the injured passengers have been taken to Newcastle’s John Hunter Hospital, while at least two were flow on to Sydney.

An investigation into the crash has started, following a large-scale emergency response involving local police, rescue squad and highway patrol officers, ambulance paramedics, NSW Fire and Rescue, and the Rural Fire Service.

A crime scene has been established, which will be examined by specialist forensic police and the force’s Crash Investigation Unit.

No children are believed to have been involved in the crash, according to Chapman.

Wineries in the area are popular with groups such as wedding parties and Cessnock City Council Mayor Jay Suvaal said chartering a bus was common.

“There will be many people from across the state and across the country that have visited our area and done the same, and I’m sure they’ll be passing on their thoughts to all those involved,” he said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters in Canberra for a day of joy in a beautiful place to end in such devastating loss is cruel and unfair.

“People hire a bus for weddings in order to keep their guests safe and that just adds to the unimaginable nature of this tragedy,” Albanese said.

“The mental scars of this will not go away.

“They are there forever and we need to make sure that when the spotlight leaves, the care doesn’t, for people who have witnessed this and poor people who’ve experienced this tragedy first-hand.”

NSW Premier Chris Minns expressed his condolences to those impacted by the tragedy and said support was being provided.

“I know the whole community of NSW, and in particular the people of the Hunter, will be shocked and saddened to wake up to this news today,” he said.

Wandin Estate said it was providing support to guests who needws it and wished to maintain the family’s privacy.

“We are deeply saddened to hear of the bus crash overnight that has claimed the lives of some of our guests,” the statement said.

A senior NSW Ambulance officer told Seven News the magnitude of the accident had been confronting for first responders.

“Whilst they are paramedics every day of their lives, something like this is not a job that they go to every day,” she said.

“I’m incredibly proud of all the paramedics that attended. They did a fantastic job under the circumstances and no doubt they will be reflecting and we will have the right support there for them.”

 

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