Heartwarming gesture for victims of the Hunter Valley wedding bus crash and their families

Locals in the grief-stricken Hunter Valley have opened their doors to victims of the horror wedding bus crash and their families. 

Ten people were killed and at another 25 injured after the coach rolled on Wine Country Drive in Greta, NSW, late on Sunday night. 

There were 35 passengers on the bus returning to their accommodation after attending the wedding of Madeleine Edsell and Mitchell Gaffney at the picturesque Wandin Valley Estate. 

With the community reeling from the tragedy, one man offered free accommodation for those involved.

‘Unsure how to reach family but I have an airbnb near John Hunter Hospital (where victims of the crash are being treated),’ Matty Smith posted to the Cessnock community Facebook page. 

‘I will offer for free for family of the bus crash patients under care there. It sleeps 5.’

The scene of a bus crash near Greta in the NSW Hunter Valley on Monday, June 12, 2023. Ten people died in the crash and at least 10 others were injured 

His gesture was called ‘thoughtful, generous and kind’ and a woman soon responded saying she would like to take up his offer.

‘My son and his partner were in the bus. He is currently in surgery and will be in hospital for at least 2 weeks,’ she wrote. 

‘We would really appreciate your offer if it’s still free – there are 4 of us.’

Mr Smith’s offer was soon joined by others looking to help the victims and their families. 

A woman who runs a laundry business offered to wash and iron cloths for free, including to pick them up and deliver them. 

Emergency services personnel are pictured investigating the scene of a bus crash that left 10 people dead and many more injured

The site of a bus crash, where 10 people from a wedding party were killed in the Hunter Valley region is pictured

Another person also offered free accommodation, saying they ‘have a self contained granny flat. We are 25 minutes from JHH (John Hunter Hospital).

‘It has bedding for 2 but I have extra mattresses and floor space up there to make room for more.’

Another woman said she had ‘a spare room at Belmont North with a double bed for family if needed … bout 15 mins drive to JHH.’

Mr Smith later added that he ‘obviously can’t accommodate everyone’ but that people who ‘want a shower and a fresh up’ could also use his Airbnb. 

He added that ‘there is a coffee machine’ in the premises and people could also go there to charge their phones of use the wi-fi. 

Someone who works at John Hunter Hospital replied to let Mr Smith know they would let the hospital’s social worker know about his offers. 

‘Thank you, world needs more people like you,’ they said. 

Many commenters offered praise for Mr Smith’s offer, with one writing ‘What a beautiful kind offer, your compassionate heart has thought about what you are able to offer.

‘And this my friend is a very valuable one, that I am sure will be appreciated. Matty Smith you are an incredible soul.’

Investigators are pictured at the scene of a bus crash near Greta in the NSW Hunter Valley on Monday, June 12, 2023

Some commenters also thanked the other people making offers to victims and their families. ‘How fantastic to see so many people offering what they can,’ wrote one.

‘What a beautiful thing to do in this time of sorrow,’ said another. 

The driver of the bus, Brett Andrew Button, 58, was taken to hospital for mandatory drug and alcohol testing which came back negative.

Button was later transferred to Cessnock Police Station where he was charged with 10 counts of dangerous driving occasioning death and one additional charge of negligent driving occasioning death.