Residents in a small NSW community are reeling after waking to the devastating news a horror bus crash killed 10 people travelling home from a ‘fairytale’ wedding.
The coach, which was carrying 39 passengers, was travelling from the Wandin Estate Winery, in the Hunter Valley, when it rolled at a roundabout at 11:30pm on Sunday.
It’s understood the area was blanketed in heavy fog when the bus crashed at the roundabout on Wine Country Drive near the Hunter Expressway off-ramp in Greta, 12km away from the estate.
At least 10 people were killed with a further 21 people currently in hospital.
At least 10 people have died after the bus they were travelling in from the Wandin Estate winery wedding venue in Hunter Valley Wine region crashed (pictured)
Distraught locals Kim and John Greko (pictured) lay flowers at the scene of the horror crash
Branxton locals Anne and Dianne told The Daily Telegraph they were on their regular early morning walk when they passed the off-ramp of the ‘shocking’ crash site.
‘It’s so sad, I’m shocked by it, I’m very shocked,’ Dianne said.
‘It’s just heartbreaking to wake up to that news this morning. Our deepest sympathies to them,’ said Anne.
The pair said the did not hear anything last night and that the roundabout was ‘particularly good’ as it was generally a big and safe area to drive through.
Anne explained the Hunter Valley Wine region is a popular destination for weddings, with at least three or four events in Lovedale every week.
Wandin Valley Estate, where the wedding was held, will remain closed on Monday following the tragedy.
‘We are deeply saddened to hear of the bus crash overnight that has claimed the lives of some of our guests,’ the owners said in a statement.
‘Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of the victims and we are supporting them in any way we can.
‘At this time, we are providing support to those guests who need our help and we wish to maintain their privacy.’
Residents Kim and John Grecho described the incident as ‘devastating’ and placed a bouquet of flowers near the crash site for the victims.
‘It’s really sad, just terrible… to have something like this happen so close to home is so sad,’ Mrs Grecho said.
It’s terrible, it’s a shock to our system. One of the happiest days of your life turns into one of the most tragic days of your life,’ Mr Grecho said.
Pictured: the Wandin Estate winery
The 58-year-old bus driver is under arrest and police expect to lay charges later today
Local woman Nicky Ainley explained she knew something tragic happened after she was woken up by the sound of helicopters at about 1am.
‘There was very thick, heavy fog, but you could see helicopters circling around with spotlights ,’ Ms Ainley told 9News.
‘Already the community on social media were interacting, saying clearly ‘this is horrific’, and ‘something had happened.”
Ms Ainley added the tragedy was ‘heartbreaking’ for the community and said the roundabout, which is under construction, is used daily by many locals.
Hunter MP Dan Repacholi attended the site on Monday and said the tragedy was ‘just devastating’.
‘I woke up to a whole heap of missed calls and text messages… as soon as I found out I was devastated,’ Mr Repacholi said.
‘My wife broke out in tears. It’s devastating for our community and devastating for the people involved in this.’
‘My heart goes out to their family, their friends and our thoughts and prayers are with them.’
NSW Premier Chris Minns said it was a ‘heartbreaking’ and thanked first responders for their incredible response.
‘The tragic loss of so many lives in a bus crash last night in the Hunter is nothing short of heartbreaking,’ Mr Minns said in a statement.
‘To those injured and those who have lost loved ones — the thoughts of our state are with you.
‘For this horrific crash to have occurred on a day that should have been filled with love and happiness only adds to the heartbreak.
‘Thank you to every single emergency services worker who has responded to this tragedy and who continue to support this community.’
Hunter MP Dan Repacholi attended the site on Monday and said the tragedy was ‘just devastating’
Cessnock MP Clayton Barr offered his sympathies to the victims’ families and friends and first responders.
‘There is a bunch of emergency service workers out there who will put their head down on the pillow at some stage today, and need to deal with this,’ Mr Barr said.
‘Not to mention the great tragedy for everybody on board the bus who clearly all knew each other. ‘
Mayor of Cessnock Jay Suvaal said he first heard news of the fatal crash when locals were commenting on social media.
He described the crash as ‘truly horrific’ sending ‘shockwaves’ throughout the community.
‘It’s something that no one wants to wake up to,’ Mr Suvaal told Today.
‘My thoughts are obviously with the people involved in the accident but their family and friends, as well as the first responders on scene, because it must have been truly horrible for them as well.
‘We are a major wedding and tourist destination in the Hunter Valley, and so there will be people from all over the state and the country that have been to these areas and have probably done similar things. I think it will send shockwaves right through the broader community.
‘The community, we are a close-knit community, and there’ll be massive showings of support I imagine throughout the day.’
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured) said the government will give whatever support necessary to the families involved
Opposition leader Peter Dutton shared his condolences for the families and loved ones impacted by the crash
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement to cameras on Monday morning the government will give whatever support necessary to the families involved.
‘For a joyous day like that, in a beautiful place, to end with such terrible loss of life and injury is so cruel, and so sad, and so unfair,’ Mr Albanese said.
‘People hire a bus for weddings into order to keep their guests safe and that just adds to the unimaginable nature of this tragedy.’
Mr Albanese confirmed NSW Premier Chris Minns told the Prime Minister some locals were caught up in the tragedy and warned Australians could feel the impact of the crash or some time.
‘The mental scars of this will not go away,’ Mr Albanese said.
‘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 for people who have experienced this tragedy first hand.
‘For now, we’re thinking of you. Australia wraps its arms around you and Australians’ hopes and prayers are with you on this tragic day.’
Opposition leader Peter Dutton expressed his sorrow in a post shared to Twitter on Monday.
‘As Australians awake to the horrific news of the bus crash in the Hunter Valley, our hopes are with those injured and our hearts break for the families and friends who have lost loved ones last night,’ Mr Dutton wrote.
‘A terrible tragedy after the joy of a wedding. ‘
Specialist forensic police and the Crash Investigations Unit have established a crime scene and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.
It is understood the area was blanketed in heavy fog and the roundabout was under construction at the time of the crash.
The bus driver, a 58-year-old man, is currently under arrest at Cessnock Police Station and police say ‘charges are pending’.
Assistant Commissioner Tracy Chapman (pictured) said there was ‘sufficient information’ for police to press charges on the bus driver who is currently under arrest in Cessnock Police Station
Assistant Commissioner Tracy Chapman said there was ‘sufficient information’ for police to press charges on the bus driver who is currently under arrest in Cessnock Police Station where he is being interviewed by detectives.
‘He’s been the driver of a motor vehicle collision where there have been fatal injuries and there will be charges pending,’ Assistant Commissioner Chapman said.
The bodies of those who have died have not yet been removed from the scene where the bus is still lying on its side.
It is feared more may be dead and still trapped under the wreckage as the salvage operation continues. Police said no children were on board.
Police are still working to identify the crash victims and contact their next of kin.
The most critically injured including those with lost limbs were taken to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle, the largest trauma hospital in the region.
One is said to be fighting for their life there while a further eight are in a stable condition.
Two people were airlifted to the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney for life-saving surgery and they are now in a stable condition.
It is believed to be one of the worst road accidents involving multiple fatalities in almost 30 years.
Emergency services rushed to the crash site after receiving a chilling Triple-0 call
The roundabout where the bus crashed was reduced to one lane due to construction work over the past few months
In 1994, a bus crash in Boondall, Queensland, resulted in the death of 12 people.
A year later, a crash between a semi-trailer truck and a bus on Melbourne Cup Day in Wangaratta in Victoria led to the deaths of ten people.
Family and friends of anyone who may have been on board 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 keep the line to Cessnock Police Station clear for concerned family members.
