Hunter Valley wedding bus crash: Dead left in the wreckage
The bodies of the 10 victims of the wedding bus crash tragedy are still trapped in the wreckage amid fears more dead could be discovered under the bus.
A major investigation has now been launched into Australia’s worst road accident in 30 years after a bus carrying wedding guests rolled onto Wine Country Drive in Greta, NSW’s Hunter Valley, on Sunday night.
“The deceased have not been evacuated,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Tracy Chapman said Monday.
She admitted that more bodies could potentially be found if the recovery operation finally gets under way after the initial police work has ended.
“The bus is still on its side and has yet to be straightened,” she added.
“Forensic investigators are reviewing the crime scene and it is clear that the crash investigation unit is conducting all investigative pathways and processes that they are required to undertake.
“The bodies remain on site at this time as we continue to do so.”
The bodies of the 10 victims of the wedding bus tragedy are still trapped in the wreckage amid fears more dead could be discovered under the bus.
The bus transported interstate guests from Maddy Edsell and Mitch Gaffney’s dream wedding (pictured) at a local winery to nearby Singleton pub-hotel accommodation
The bus had just left the wedding venue at Wandin Estate Winery in Lovedale when it rolled into the roundabout at the Hunter Expressway exit 12km away
The bus was transporting interstate guests from Maddy Edsell and Mitch Gaffney’s dream wedding at a local winery to nearby accommodation at a pub hotel in Singleton.
The newlyweds are originally from Warrandyte in Melbourne’s north east, but moved to Singleton six years ago, where Mr Gaffney works for Yancoal as a Quality and Logistics Coordinator.
The bus had just left the wedding venue at Wandin Estate in Lovedale when it rolled 12km away at the roundabout at the Hunter Expressway exit.
Emergency services arrived at a scene of carnage at 11:30 pm on Sunday, with some survivors extricating themselves from the wreckage while others were trapped underneath.
A passing off-duty paramedic would have been the first to arrive at the horrific crash site.
“It was a confrontational and very traumatic scene,” Assistant Comm Chapman said.
“Wherever you have that large-scale incident with so many people, it’s going to be difficult for everyone.”
The 58-year-old bus driver has been arrested over the accident and police are investigating whether speed was a factor.
Work now focuses on identifying those who died in the tragedy, she said.
“We have a team there that receives calls from relatives and friends,” she said.
“That information also helps us with our investigations and our efforts to identify the deceased.
“The obvious difficulty for us is to process the scene and process all of that to allow us to give some clarity to the family members about what happened.”
Emergency services arrived at a scene of carnage at 11:30 pm on Sunday, with some survivors extricating themselves from the wreckage while others were trapped underneath
Work now focuses on identifying those who died in the tragedy, police said.
Police admitted further bodies may be found if the salvage operation finally gets under way after initial police work ends
NSW Premier Chris Minns added: ‘Whatever the ultimate toll of this terrible accident will be more than we can bear.’
“We need to make sure we recover the injured, we’re caring for someone who has lost a loved one in the past few days and we also thank the emergency workers, police officers, firefighters and paramedics in NSW who dropped everything,” he said.
“This has been a terrible, terrible event in NSW history – and I think today is a day to hug someone you love and remember how precious life is.”
In addition to the 10 confirmed deaths, another 21 have been taken to four different hospitals in the state.
One is in critical condition and eight others are in stable condition at John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle.
Five patients are in stable condition at Maitland Hospital, another five are in stable condition at Calvary Mater Hospital in Newcastle and two more are in stable condition at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney.
“I think everyone in the state is really shocked by the events this morning,” the prime minister added.
“A day that was meant to be a day of joy – where family and friends could come together to celebrate something very special – has ended in unimaginable despair.”
The bus was chartered by local firm Linq Buslines, which issued a statement on Monday afternoon.
The couple got married on the pontoon overlooking a lake as the sun shone, before all the guests gathered for a group photo in the gardens
NSW Premier Chris Minns paid tribute to emergency workers at the site, saying it was a ‘horrible accident’ and will be ‘more than we can bear’
“We are incredibly saddened to hear of the overnight bus accident,” the company said.
“Our hearts are with everyone involved in this terrible tragedy and we extend our deepest condolences to those who have lost loved ones.
“We would like to thank the first responders on the scene, the emergency services and those who continue to help.
‘Trauma counseling is available to all employees and their families at Linq Buslines.
“We are cooperating with NSW police and authorities as they investigate. It would be inappropriate for us to comment further while the investigation is ongoing.”