The bodies of the 10 victims of the wedding bus crash tragedy still remain trapped in the wreckage amid fears even more dead could be discovered under the coach.
A major investigation has now been launched into Australia’s worst road accident in 30 years after a coach carrying wedding guests rolled on Wine Country Drive in Greta, in NSW‘s Hunter Valley, on Sunday night.
‘The deceased have not been removed,’ acting Assistant Commissioner Tracy Chapman said on Monday.
She admitted even more bodies could potentially be found when the salvage operation finally gets underway after the initial police work ends.
‘The bus is still on its side and is yet to be righted,’ she added.
‘Forensic examiners are looking at the scene and obviously the crash investigation unit is doing all the investigative avenues and processes they need to undertake.
‘The bodies remain in situ at the scene at this point in time as we continue that.’
The bodies of the 10 victims of the wedding bus crash tragedy still remain trapped in the wreckage amid fears even more dead could still be discovered under the coach.
The coach was ferrying interstate guests from the dream wedding of Maddy Edsell and Mitch Gaffney (pictured) at a local winery to nearby accommodation at a Singleton pub-hotel
The bus had just left the wedding venue at Wandin Estate Winery in Lovedale when it rolled at the roundabout near the Hunter Expressway offramp 12km away
The coach was ferrying interstate guests from the dream wedding of Maddy Edsell and Mitch Gaffney at a local winery to nearby accommodation at a Singleton pub-hotel .
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 co-ordinator.
The bus had just left the wedding venue at Wandin Estate in Lovedale when it rolled at the roundabout near the Hunter Expressway offramp 12km away.
Emergency services arrived to find a scene of carnage after the crash at 11.30pm on Sunday, with some survivors freeing themselves from the wreckage while others were trapped underneath.
A passing off-duty paramedic is reported to have been first at the horrific crash site.
‘It was a confronting and very traumatic scene,’ said Asst Comm Chapman.
‘Wherever you’ve got that large scale incident with that many people, it’s going to be difficult for anyone.’
The 58-year-old bus driver has been arrested over the crash, with police investigating if speed was a factor.
Work is now focusing on identifying those who have died in the tragedy, she said.
‘We’ve got a team in place there who are receiving calls from family members and friends,’ she said.
‘That information is assisting us as well with our inquiries and our efforts to identify those who are deceased.
‘The obvious difficulty for us is processing the scene and working through all of that to enable us to give some clarity to family members about what’s happened.’
Emergency services arrived to find a scene of carnage after the crash at 11.30pm on Sunday, with some survivors freeing themselves from the wreckage while others were trapped underneath
Work is now focusing on identifying those who have died in the tragedy, police said.
Police admitted even more bodies could potentially be found when the salvage operation finally gets underway after the initial police work ends
NSW Premier Chris Minns added: ‘Whatever the final toll is in this terrible accident, it will be more than we can bear.
‘We need to make sure we mend the injured, we care for someone that has lost a loved one over the last few days and also we give a big thanks to emergency service workers, police officers, firefighters and paramedics in NSW who dropped everything.
‘This has been a terrible, terrible event in the history of NSW – and I think today is a day to hug someone that you love and remember how precious life is.’
As well as the 10 confirmed dead, another 21 have been taken to four different hospitals around the state.
One is in a critical condition and eight more are in a stable condition at John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle.
Five patients are in a stable condition at Maitland Hospital, with another five in a stable condition at Calvary Mater Hospital in Newcastle, and two more in a stable condition at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney.
‘I think everybody in the state has just been truly horrified by this morning’s events,’ added the premier.
‘A day that was meant to be a joyous one – where family and friends could come together to celebrate something really special – has ended in unimaginable despair.’
The coach was chartered from local firm Linq Buslines which released a statement on Monday afternoon.
The couple were married out on the pontoon overlooking a lake as the sun shone down, before all the guests gathered for a group photo in the gardens
NSW Premier Chris Minns paid tribute to emergency service workers at the site and said it was a ‘terrible accident’ and will be ‘more than we can bear’
‘We are incredibly saddened to learn of the bus crash that has occurred overnight,’ the company said.
‘Our hearts are with everyone involved in this terrible tragedy and we send our deepest condolences to those who have lost loved ones.
‘We would like to thank the first responders to the scene, the emergency personnel and those who are continuing to assist.
‘Trauma counselling services have been made available to all staff and their families at Linq Buslines.
‘We are working with NSW Police and authorities as they investigate. It would be inappropriate for us to comment further while the investigation is underway.’
