Sydney
10 Hunter Valley wedding attendees killed in accident, bus driver arrested
Key Point
- At least 10 people have died after a bus overturned in New South Wales’ Hunter Valley.
- The bus driver was arrested.
- 25 people were taken to hospital.
Ten people were killed in a bus rollover involving about 40 people last night in New South Wales’ Hunter Valley.
Around 11:30 pm on Sunday, emergency services were dispatched to the scene of the accident at a roundabout on Wine Country Drive near Greta after receiving a call that the bus had overturned.
Ten people died and 11 were injured and were taken to hospital by air ambulance and road ambulance, police said in a statement, but a further 18 passengers were uninjured.
Police later said 25 people had been taken to hospital, including two who needed airlift.
The 58-year-old bus driver was taken to a hospital under police custody for a mandatory check-up and examination. He was then arrested and taken to the Cessnock Police Station.
Police said they had enough information to suggest he could be charged.
Acting Assistant Secretary Tracy Chapman said it was a single-vehicle collision.
He said he could still be trapped under the bus and bodies were still at the scene.
Some of the injured were reportedly taken to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle, while others were taken to Sydney.
Media reports said Bass was on his way back from a wedding reception in Lovedale.
Hunter New South Wales member Daniel Lepacholi said there was road construction going on around the crash site, lots of land development and fog.
“The whole area was very busy and there were festivals everywhere. But as you know, we are now coming to terms with what happened. It is a truly tragic accident,” he told ABC News. .
Following a massive emergency response involving local police, rescue services, highway patrols, ambulance paramedics, the New South Wales Fire and Rescue Service and the Regional Fire Service, an investigation into the accident has been launched.
A crime scene has been established and will be investigated by specialized forensic police and the Army’s Clash Investigation Unit.
‘Australia has you in its arms’: Prime Minister
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese thanked first responders and those who continue to support the tragedy.
“We all know the joy of attending a wedding, the opportunity to celebrate our dear friends and family. A wedding is one of the happiest times of your life,” he said at a press conference.
“It is so cruel, so sad and so unfair that such a fun day in a beautiful place ends with such a tragic loss of life and injury. People keep their guests safe.” Hire a bus to a wedding for.
“That adds to the unimaginable nature of this tragedy,” he said.
“All thoughts of the Australian people go out to the families, friends and loved ones of those lost in these horrific circumstances. Australia holds you in its arms.”
A senior NSW ambulance officer told Seven News about the magnitude of the accident faced by first responders.
“They are paramedics every day, but they don’t go to work like this every day,” she says.
“I am very proud of all the paramedics who participated. They have done a great job under the circumstances. Offers.”
One guest said he was shocked by what happened outside John Hunter Hospital on the bus to Nine News.
“It was an amazing day. It was such a beautiful wedding… It was such a fairytale, amazing day… Then the news came that there had been an accident and we all started panicking,” he said. Told.
“Truly terrifying”
Wandin Valley Estate, where the wedding took place on Sunday, issued a statement saying it was “extremely sorry to hear of the bus accident that claimed the lives of its guests.”
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims and will do everything we can to support them.”
Cessnock Mayor Jay Svaal said the news of the fatalities was “genuinely terrifying.”
“This is an event that no one wants to wake up to. It’s natural to think not only of those involved in the accident, but their families, friends and first responders on the ground. It was a truly terrifying event for them as well. I should have,” he said on the Nines Today show.
“We’re the premier wedding and tourist destination in the Hunter Valley, so there are people from all over the state and across the country who have traveled to these areas and probably done the same. I think it will shock the nation.” .” The wider community.
“Community, we are a close-knit community and I think we are going to see massive support throughout the day.”
NSW Premier Chris Mings said assistance was being provided to those affected by the tragedy.
“My deepest condolences to the families, friends and loved ones of those who died or were injured in this accident,” he said in a statement.
“This is a very tragic event. I think the whole New South Wales community, especially the Hunter people, will be shocked and saddened to hear the news today.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese thanked first responders and those who continue to support the tragedy.
“All Australians, awakened by the tragic news from Hunter, extend our deepest condolences to the loved ones of those who lost their lives in this horrific bus tragedy,” Albanese said on Twitter earlier.
“It is truly cruel that a day of joy ends with such a devastating loss. Our thoughts are also with those who were injured.”
Wine Country Drive remains closed in both directions in Greta, Maitland West.
Motorists are being escorted through Bridge Street, Drinan Street, Clift Street and the New England Highway to avoid the road closure.
The northbound and southbound exit ramps from the Hunter Expressway to Wine Country Drive are also closed, but through lanes are not affected.
The New South Wales Traffic Management Center said it was unclear how long the road would be closed due to the nature of the accident.
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/bus-driver-arrested-after-10-hunter-valley-wedding-guests-killed-in-crash/pj9zdihb8 10 Hunter Valley wedding attendees killed in accident, bus driver arrested
