Hunter Valley bus crash driver charged after 10 wedding guests killed, dozens injured
The driver at the wheel of a bus that crashed in the Hunter Valley killing 10 wedding guests has been charged. It comes as police work through a grim recovery effort to identify victims who were trapped under the bus.
NSW
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The driver at the wheel of a bus that crashed in the Hunter Valley killing 10 wedding guests has been charged by police.
Brett Andrew Button, 58, from Metford was charged on Monday evening with 10 counts of dangerous driving occasioning death - drive manner dangerous, and negligent driving (occasioning death).
It comes as a grim recovery effort has begun to identify multiple deceased passengers found trapped beneath an overturned bus which crashed last night, killing 10 wedding guests and injuring 25 others.
Almost 16 hours after the catastrophic accident, specialist salvage operators lifted the overturned coach back onto its wheels, just before 3pm.
At least one deceased passenger was discovered beneath the wreckage, and police said it was likely more would be located as emergency crews sift through the crime scene.
The horrific crash happened at about 11.30pm as the bus approached a roundabout at Greta, north of Newcastle, on its way to Singleton.
Ten people are confirmed dead, 25 were taken to four different hospitals and at least 18 passengers were uninjured.
The passengers had all been celebrating the wedding of Mitchell and Madeleine Gaffney at Wandin Estate in the Hunter Valley wine country.
About 11pm, the bus collected the passengers and began making its way to Singleton when the crash happened amid thick fog.
The 58-year-old bus driver, who was charged on Monday evening, was pulled from the wreckage at midnight.
Police are probing if speed was a factor in the crash.
The bus driver was not injured.
DEATH TOLL COULD RISE
Assistant Commissioner Chapman said 10 people were confirmed dead but it was possible the death toll could rise
“It’s a tragic set of circumstances. The number of family members, and wider community, who will be impacted by this, we couldn’t count,” Assistant Commissioner Chapman said.
It is understood police are investigating if the driver was speeding and not travelling to the conditions at the time, amid thick fog in the area.
The passengers had boarded a 57-seat coach after a day of wedding festivities at Wandin Estate Winery in the world famous wine region.
#BREAKING: The man allegedly behind the wheel during a fatal bus crash in the Hunter, which claimed 10 lives and injured 25 more, has been granted bail. pic.twitter.com/i0lqQQj446
— The Daily Telegraph (@dailytelegraph) June 13, 2023
The bus was heading to Singleton when the tragedy happened.
Assistant Commissioner Chapman said at this stage there were no children involved in the crash.
Patients from the accident were transported to hospitals across the region for treatment.
As of 10am nine patients were being treated at John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle, with one in critical condition and eight in a stable condition.
Five patients are in a stable condition at Maitland Hospital.
Another five are in a stable condition at Calvary Mater Hospital Newcastle.
Two patients have been transported to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital where they are in a stable condition.
A crime scene was set up at the crash scene, which is currently being forensically examined by both the crash investigation unit and specialist forensic police.
The tragedy occurred at the roundabout on Wine Country Drive, near the Hunter Expressway off ramp, at Greta about 11.30pm on Sunday — with an off-duty paramedic who happened to be passing by the first on the scene.
He was soon joined by NSW Ambulance paramedics and NSW Police who found a total of 37 passengers in need of treatment.
“It was a nice day, a pretty good wedding … fairy tale stuff really. It was a nice day, 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,” a guest told 7News.
Seven medi-helicopters joined an armada of ambulances, police cars and fire crews at the scene, treating people for injuries at the scene before transporting them to hospital.
Footage from the scene showed the bus completely on its side, with several smashed windows including the front windscreen.
Police sources said some passengers thrown from their seats during the crash were trapped under the bus. Others had limbs severed in the crash.
NSW Fire and Rescue crews used their specialist machinery to lift the bus up, enabling those trapped to be freed.
Patients were taken to multiple hospitals around the state, including John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle.
The company that owns the coach, Linq Buslines, said it was “incredibly saddened”.
“Our hearts are with everyone involved in this terrible tragedy and we send our deepest condolences to those who have lost loved ones,” Linq said in a statement.
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.
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) June 11, 2023
For a day of joy to end in such devastating loss is cruel indeed.
Our thoughts are also with those who have been injured.
Thank you to all the first responders who rushed to the scene, and those continuing to assist and care for those affected by this tragedy.
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) June 11, 2023
“We would like to thank the first responders to the scene, the emergency personnel and those who are continuing to assist,” it said.
“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,” Linq said.
Linq director Chris Fogg – grandson of coach industry legend Sid Fogg – declined to comment further when contacted by The Daily Telegraph.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also sent his condolences to those involved and thanked first responders on the scene of the incident.
Mr Albanese said he spoke to local MP Dan Repacholi and the NSW Premier in the aftermath of the tragedy while paying tribute to the first responders attending to the scene.
“All of us know the joy of going to a wedding, a chance to celebrate dear friends and family … for a joyous day like that in a beautiful place to end with such terrible loss of life and injury is so cruel,” he said.
“People hire buses at weddings to keep their guests safe, that just adds to the unimaginable nature of this tragedy.
“Australia wraps its arms around you.”
Mr Albanese urged people worried about their loved ones to contact Cessnock police.
“To the doctors and nurses, to the police and emergency services, to those who transported the injured to hospital. I say once again, thank you,” he said.
“And we need to make sure that when the spotlight leaves the care doesn’t for people who have witnessed this. And for people who’ve experienced this tragedy first-hand.”
Mr Albanese said his government will do what is required to support the victims.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton also offered his condolences and described the incident as a “terrible tragedy after the joy of a wedding”.
“As Australians awake to the horrific news of the bus crash in the Hunter Valley, our hopes are with those injured and our hearts break for the families and friends who have lost loved ones last night,” he said.
“As details unfold today, we thank all the emergency services involved.”
All northbound and southbound off-ramps from Hunter Expressway to Wine Country Drive remain closed.
Northbound motorists can use Lovedale Rd to access Wine Country Dr (suitable for all vehicles), and Southbound motorists can use New England Hwy, Clift St, and Bridge St to access Wine Country Dr.
Heavy vehicles travelling southbound wishing to access Wine Country Drive have been advised to use Hermitage Rd and Broke Rd.
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