Hudson Young’s heartbreak at Hunter Valley bus tragedy in hometown of Greta

Born and raised in Greta, NSW State of Origin star Hudson Young has been left shocked by the Hunter Valley bus crash that rocked his hometown this week.

NSW Origin star Hudson Young hails from Greta, the small town rocked by the Hunter Valley bus crash this week. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

NSW forward Hudson Young has spoken of his heartbreak at the Hunter Valley bus tragedy and his hopes that he can put taken smiles back on the faces of people in the devastated local community by helping the Blues level the State of Origin series in Brisbane.

Young hails from Greta, the small town which was rocked this week when a bus accident claimed the lives of 10 people and left more than a dozen in hospital.

Although he wasn’t personally touched by the tragedy, Young said his heart went out to the families of those who lost their lives. He also arrived in Origin camp feeling for the people in his hometown.

Hudson Young looms will start for NSW in Origin II. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

It is in my home town so it obviously would have affected people from home,” Young said.

“It is such a tragedy for that to happen.

“My house is only around the corner from where it happened and mum was saying the amount of ambos and everything going on around it was like a war zone.

“Really scary. You get the worst feeling that you know someone involved. Thankfully I didn’t but such a tragedy for all the families.”

Young grew up playing for the Greta Branxton Colts and is immensely proud of his home town.

NSW and Canberra star Hudson Young played for the Greta Branxton Colts. Credit: Facebook

“They will be rallying around everyone up there – is such a very tight knit community,” Young said.

“It is such a sad thing to happen.It will be awesome to get the win knowing I am from Greta and hopefully I can put smiles on people’s faces up there.”

The bus driver at the centre of the Hunter Valley tragedy has been charged with multiple counts of dangerous driving and negligence.

Playing for Keith: New Blue’s tragic loss of best mate

By Dean Ritchie

They grew up playing rugby league and PlayStation together, chasing their NRL dreams, before one tragic moment ripped it all away.

So when NSW debutant Stefano Utoikamanu runs out against Queensland in State of Origin II next Wednesday, he will dedicate the milestone to the lost mate he called a “brother”.

Utoikamanu on Tuesday opened up about the heartbreak he endured at losing his best friend, Manly forward Keith Titmuss, who collapsed suddenly during a pre-season training session back in September, 2020.

Titmuss was rushed to Northern Beaches Hospital, and then transferred to Royal North Shore Hospital, where he died, aged 20.

Blues debutant Stefano Utoikamanu. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

“It’s so sad what happened to him,” said Utoikamanu, who were “inseparable” high school mates who played rugby league and rugby union together.

Utoikamanu was a pallbearer at Titmuss’ funeral, along with Manly’s Jason Saab.

“That was tough,” Utoikamanu said of carrying Titmuss’ coffin out of the church in Mt Druitt.

“We grew up together. You never know what is going to happen (in life). He passed so young, it’s a really sad story.”

Wests Tigers giant Utoikamanu has been included in a desperate NSW side which must beat Queensland to avoid a painful series defeat.

He will play in memory of Titmuss.

Utoikamanu and Titmuss became best mates at Cabramatta Two Blues and played together at Westfield Sports High. They also played rugby union at Hunters Hill and then in a Northern Suburbs representative team.

The two mates regularly played PlayStation together, Utoikamanu often at the Titmuss family home in Austral.

Rugby league players Jason Saab (right, rear) and Stefano Utoikamanu (right) carry the coffin of close friend Keith Titmuss in 2020. Picture: Brett Costello

“I think about Keith all the time and I will be playing (Origin II) for him and his family, I love them like brothers,” Utoikamanu said.

“I will always have a lot of love for Keith, he was a really good mate of mine. I’m always thinking of him. He will be watching over me (on Wednesday week) and I think he will be proud.

“I grew up playing footy with Keith – that’s how you meet close mates, by playing club footy and going to school. We had a lot of fun times.

“We have a lot of good memories together which is good to look back on. I play for Keith anyway. In a way, I dedicate every game to him.

“Keith was a really good player and I would have loved to have played with him. I have no doubt he would have played a lot of NRL games. He was a gun player. He is always watching over me. He was very quiet but a funny guy.”

An emotional Utoikamanu had a photo taken sitting in Titmuss’ dressing room cubicle – he had just been promoted into Manly’s top 30 squad – inside the Sea Eagles’ Narrabeen headquarters.

“Stefano will be thinking of Keith when he runs out,” said Jess Titmuss, Keith’s brother. “All the boys always think of Keith when they’re playing and now especially with Stefano playing Origin.

Titmuss and Utoikamanu at Westfield Sports High together.

Utoikamanu in the late Keith Titmuss' cubicle at Manly.

“Keith and Stefano had the same interests and they hung out a lot as they were growing up. Keith was spending a lot of time with Stefano. They played a lot of PlayStation together.

“They started in year seven together at Westfield Sports High and played all their footy together in the same position. It’s awesome and quite uplifting when you see Stefano’s name in the Origin team. It’s good to see.”

Titmuss – a rising star – died suddenly after becoming ill at a Manly training in November, 2020. He was taken to Northern Beaches Hospital, and then transferred to Royal North Shore Hospital, but died, aged 20.

“Forget everyone else, Stefano and Keith were best mates, and I mean best mates. They were inseparable,” former Cabramatta official, Reno Santaguida said.

“When Stefano runs out in Brisbane for the Origin game, I have no doubt he will be thinking about Keith. I know Keith will be right there with Stefano throughout the game.

“I reckon you might even see Stefano look to the heavens and think of his great mate. They were long-time schoolboy front-row partners – they were the dynamic duo. Stefano had a massive soft spot for Keith.

“Stefano and Keith were two of the best front-rowers at schoolboy level. In one game, Keith and Stefano were playing for Westfields and once went up against Payne Haas and David Fifita, who were with Keebra Park.”

Originally published as Hudson Young’s heartbreak at Hunter Valley bus tragedy in hometown of Greta