The mother of the wedding presenter involved in the bus crash that killed 10 guests has revealed how her son was “covered in other people’s blood.”
Alex Tigani rode the bus back from 35 wedding guests the Wandin Estate Winery, in the Hunter Valley, as it rolled into a roundabout at 11:30 p.m. Sunday.
It is understood that the area was enshrouded in heavy fog when the bus crashed at the roundabout on Wine Country Drive near the Hunter Expressway exit in Greta, 12 km from the estate.
At least 10 people died in the horror crash and another 21 people are currently in hospital.
Local reporter Alex Tigani (pictured) was the master of ceremonies at the wedding. He told his mother he was “covered in people’s blood” after the bus he was traveling in crashed along with about 40 other wedding guests
Photos from the reception show the newlyweds cutting their cake while a live band plays in the background and Tigani addresses the audience
Mr Tigani, deputy editor of the Hunter River Times, called his mother Loretta Tigani at about 3am “very upset” after seeing his friends die in the crash.
“They’re checking him for concussion, he was covered in other people’s blood,” Ms Tigani said. The Herald Sun.
Ms Tigani said her son described the tragic accident “like a war scene” with those sitting on the left side of the bus suffering horrific injuries.
“He was very emotional because he saw many of his mates die. It’s a small town, so everyone knows each other,” she said.
“He said it looked like a war scene, it was devastating. The people on the left side of the bus are the ones who are very hurt, because that’s the side the bus ended up on.”
Mr Tigani explained that guests who survived the ordeal did their best to carry the most injured victims amidst the carnage to safety.
Clearly, Mr. Tigani knew the bride and groom through his job and the local sports scene in Singleton.
The local reporter is one of the injured victims currently recovering at John Hunter Hospital.
One patient is in critical condition while the rest are stable, NSW Premier Chris Minns said earlier on Monday.
The bus carrying about 40 passengers was en route from the wedding venue of the Wandin Estate winery in the Hunter Valley wine region (pictured) when it rolled into a roundabout on Wine Country Drive near the Hunter Expressway exit in Greta, 7.5 miles away.
Photos from the reception show the newlyweds cutting their cake while a live band plays in the background and Mr. Tigani addresses the audience.
Madeleine Edsell and Mitchell Gaffney, who is a member of local football club Singleton Roosters, tied the knot on Sunday afternoon at Wandin Valley Estate in the Hunter Valley.
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.
Ms Tigani said she knew the devastated newlywed couple were recuperating at a hotel after learning that 10 of their guests had died in the crash.
Police said 11 passengers initially had to be airlifted or taken to hospital by ambulance, while 25 others were taken to hospital with varying injuries following one of Australia’s deadliest road accidents in decades.
Some of the stable victims in hospitals across the state have since provided testimonials to investigators, who are still working to determine exactly what went wrong.
The bus driver, a 58-year-old man, is currently under arrest at Cessnock police station and police say ‘charges are pending’.
10 of their guests were tragically killed when the shuttle bus rolled over, and another 25 people were taken to hospital for treatment
There are fears more dead and still trapped under the wreckage as the salvage operation continues
Assistant Commissioner Tracy Chapman said there was ‘enough information’ for police to press charges against the bus driver who is currently being arrested at Cessnock Police Station, where he is being questioned by detectives.
“He was the driver of a motor vehicle collision resulting in fatal injuries and charges will be filed,” Deputy Commissioner Chapman said.
The bodies of the deceased have not yet been removed from the spot where the bus is still lying on its side.
It is feared there are more dead and still trapped under the wreckage as the salvage operation continues. According to police, there were no children on board.
Police are still trying to identify the victims of the accident and contact their next of kin.
The most seriously injured, including those with lost limbs, were taken to Newcastle’s John Hunter Hospital, the region’s largest trauma hospital.
Assistant Commissioner Tracy Chapman (pictured) said there was ‘enough information’ to press charges against the bus driver currently under arrest at Cessnock police station
One person is said to be fighting for his life there, while eight others are in stable condition.
Two people have been airlifted to the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney for life-saving surgery and their condition is now stable.
Family and friends of anyone who may have been on the bus are urged to contact Cessnock Police Station on 02 4991 0199.
Witnesses – or anyone with any information about the crash – are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 to clear the line to Cessnock Police Station for concerned family members.