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News
10 dead after bus flips after Hunter Valley winery wedding
Ten people have died, and a further 25 injured, after a bus carrying guests from a “fairytale” wedding at a winery in Australia’s Hunter Valley rolled over in the fog.
Following a wedding that took place at Wandin Valley Estate in Lovedale, one of the Hunter Valley’s most renowned wineries, a bus transporting guests back to their accommodation crashed claiming 10 lives and leaving 25 injured, some critically so.
According to local police, the incident occurred near the town of Greta in New South Wales (NSW) at around 11:30pm on Sunday 11 June when there had been heavy fog in the area.
The bus rolled over on Wine Country Drive while making a turn at a roundabout during a return trip from the wedding reception to some of the guests’ accommodation about 10km from the site of the crash.
There are thought to have been 36 passengers on board. The newly weds – Madeleine Edsell and Mitchell Gaffney – were not on the bus, and no children were on board.
Two survivors were airlifted from the site and one is said to be in “critical condition”.
Paula Sinclair of NSW Ambulance said police were working to notify families of the wedding guests and that paramedics did a “fantastic job under the circumstances”.
Police have charged the bus driver, Brett Andrew Button, 58, with 10 counts of dangerous driving which resulted in death. He has been refused bail and is due to face Cessnock local court on Tuesday morning.
Button allegedly told his passengers ‘If you think that was fast… watch this’ just moments before the crash. He tested negative for drugs and alcohol consumption.
As news filtered through to the wedding party about what had happened, the newlyweds reportedly asked to be taken to the scene of the crash to help.
Wandin Valley Estate said it was “deeply saddened to hear of the bus crash that has claimed the lives of some of our guests” and that it was offering support to guests and families.
New South Wales premier Chris Minns called it a “profoundly tragic event” and told local press: ” I know the whole community of NSW, and in particular the people of the Hunter, will be shocked and saddened.”