A “fairytale” wedding has turned into an unthinkable tragedy after a bus carrying dozens of guests rolled in the NSW Hunter Valley, leaving 10 dead and at least 25 hospitalised.
The incident occurred just after 11.30pm on Sunday night, after the coach picked up around 40 guests from a wedding held at the picturesque Wandin Valley Estate in Lovedale.
Around 17 minutes into the journey to guests’ accommodation in nearby Singleton, it is understood the bus rolled at a roundabout at Wine Country Drive near the Hunter Expressway off ramp at Greta in the wine region, which is a major tourism and wedding destination.
Emergency services, including ambulance, NSW Fire and Rescue, NSW Rural Fire Service, police and Highway Patrol rushed to the site, and were met with horrifying scenes.
‘Code fours’
Chilling audio from emergency scanners in the aftermath of the crash have revealed the devastating scenes first responders encountered on Sunday night.
“Major incident declared. We have a bus roll over. Multiple patients,” a first responder can be heard saying in audio from a triple-0 call shared by Today.
“At this stage we have identified seven, I repeat, seven code fours.
“We have one red label patient whose injuries are severe. And unfortunately, we are expecting that is also going to code four.
“We have multiple red and orange label patients at this stage. I need all resources allocated to continue. I’m still trying to work out exactly how many patients I have here.”
“Code four” refers to a patient that has died, while “red label” means the patient is critical, and “orange label” signifies a patient in a serious condition.
Driver ‘will be charged’
Speaking at a press conference this morning, NSW Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Tracy Chapman said it wasa “very difficult morning and some tragic circumstances”, and confirmed that the driver – who remains under police guard – “will be charged”.
“A 58-year-old man, the driver of the coach, was taken to hospital for mandatory testing and he’s now at Cessnock police station and currently under arrest,” she said.
“A crime scene has been established and that scene is currently being forensically examined by both crash investigation unit and specialist forensic police.
“He’s been the driver of a motor vehicle collision where there have been fatal injuries and there will be charges pending.”
However, Chapman said it was “too early” to share specific details.
“There’s sufficient information for us to establish that there will be charges, but I won’t go into the detail about those at this stage,” she said.
“I can’t comment on the circumstances of the accident. It is far too early.”
She said the driver only sustained minor injuries, if any.
Victims ‘still being identified’
Acting Assistant Commissioner Tracy Chapman said emergency services were still working to identify passengers on the doomed bus, and that the deceased victims have not yet been removed from the site.
“If there are friends or family of anyone who may have been on that bus, we are still trying to identify all of the people on the bus, they can contact Cessnock police station,” she said.
“So obviously we have had a large-scale emergency response and we will work through the investigative avenues in relation to the accident. But we have family liaison officers who will be assigned to families to work with them and ensure that they have the support and welfare around them that they need.”
She added it was possible some victims remained trapped under the coach, and that the death toll could rise.
“ … certainly the bus is still on its side and yet to be righted,” she said.
“There are also people who are still injured in hospital, at least two of which were airlifted and so there’s always a possibility that that number may increase.”
A reporter then asked whether “there’s a potential that people could still be trapped under that bus as you try to work?”, to which Chapman replied: “There is that potential, yes.”
Chapman said no children were involved in the crash.
Limbs ‘severed’ in crash
Many survivors of the crash have been left with gruesome, life-changing injuries, with reports emerging that some guests had “limbs severed” in the accident, with others later facing amputations in hospital.
According to 7 News, paramedics flagged several “code red” injuries, with a number of patients in a critical condition at Newcastle’s John Hunter Hospital.
Some guests were also transported to Maitland Hospital, Mater Hospital and the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney.
Police have confirmed that 18 passengers were uninjured in the crash.
Driver under guard
The 58-year-old bus driver has been taken to hospital under police guard for mandatory testing and assessment.
A crime scene has been established, which will be examined by specialist forensic police and the Crash Investigation Unit.
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash has commenced.
‘Fairytale’ wedding turns to horror
Meanwhile, one devastated wedding guest who was not on the bus has described his horror upon hearing the news.
“It was a nice day, a pretty good wedding … fairytale stuff really … and we went to come back and get drunk, and we got the news that there had been a crash, and we all started panicking,” he told Sunrise.
‘Foggy’ conditions before deadly crash
Speaking to ABC News Breakfast on Monday morning, Cessnock Mayor Jay Suvaal said there were “foggy” conditions last night at the time of the crash.
“The road itself is quite a large roundabout going over a major highway, the Hunter Expressway,” he said.
“There does appear to have been a lot of fog around as well.
“Until we know the crash investigation circumstances we’re not really sure about what may have contributed to it.”
Mr Suvaal added that the tragedy “will be sending shockwaves through the Hunter Valley community”.
It is understood the conditions were so foggy some helicopters were unable to land in the area in the wake of the accident.
Meanwhile, a local business owner in the area told the ABC this morning that the roundabout where the crash occurred had been under construction for several months, with traffic reduced to one lane only.
“So it was a one lane roundabout and they’re currently extending and doing road works on it,” Peta Hughes told the national broadcaster.
“They’ve got barriers and the safety bollards and things up around there. It’s a 40km/h zone.”
Police will hold a press conference on the tragedy later this morning.
Albo’s heartache over ‘cruel’ tragedy
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has shared a message of support for victims of the bus crash.
“All Australians waking up to tragic news from the Hunter send our deepest sympathies to the loved ones of those killed in this horrific bus tragedy,” he posted on Twitter.
“For a day of joy to end in such devastating loss is cruel indeed.
“Our thoughts are also with those who have been injured.”
Police still contacting next of kin
Police are still working to identify the crash victims and contact their next of kin.
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 information relevant to the circumstances surrounding 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.
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