Hunter Valley bus tragedy: How Singleton is grieving Greta bus death horror
The grieving communities around Singleton have come together in a remarkable show of strength to help those affected by Sunday’s devastating wedding bus crash.
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Seven of their own dead, more than a dozen maimed and badly injured, hundreds directly affected and thousands who will mourn.
Behind the sometimes gruff and always coal dust-lacquered exterior, the famous mining town of Singleton’s shattered heart was breaking.
But closely knit-communities within the broader Hunter Region have come together to rally behind and support those impacted by the devastating wedding bus crash.
Singleton, Cessnock and Greta locals in mourning have taken to social media to not only share their love and condolences with families impacted by the disaster, but also their services.
Cessnock local Matty Smith is among dozens of locals who have donated their Airbnbs and rooms to families in need as the grief ripples across the Hunter Valley.
Mr Smith offered his Newcastle Airbnb for free for families with patients in John Hunter Hospital undergoing surgery following the crash.
“I have an Airbnb near John Hunter Hospital I will offer for free for a family of the bus crash patients under care there. It sleeps five,” he said in a Facebook post.
Mother of one of the wedding guests on the bus, Maree Burns confirmed her son was currently undergoing surgery at the hospital and took up Mr Smith’s offer.
“That is so generous. My son and his partner were in the bus. He is currently in surgery and will be in hospital for at least 2 weeks. We would really appreciate your offer if it’s still free - there are 4 of us,” she said.
Staff at the Rydges Resort in the Hunter Valley are also offering accommodation for “anyone directly impacted that requires support.”
Local woman Elyse Reay who owns a laundry business offered free services for family members staying locally while waiting for news about their loved ones.
“I run a laundry business. Happy to wash and iron any clothes they need for free as well. I’ll pick up and deliver for you. One less thing to even think about,” she said.
Others have offered their home cleaning services for Airbnb owners who are offering their rooms and homes for crash victims and their families, while others have offered to provide home cooked meals, transport services and pet boarding services.
A Facebook page titled “Support for the Win Country Dr Victims and Responders” has also been formed for further support services to be listed for the families of bus crash victims and emergency services.
Greta locals and AFL players are showing their support for those members of the Singleton Roosters AFL club whose members were among those in the crash.
Resident Jordy Solly placed his AFL jersey on his mailbox outside his home to pay his respects to the Roosters players.
“In support of the Singleton Roosters AFC and the horrific events of this mornings bus crash involving many of their club people I am going to put out my guernsey as a show of support for them,” he said.
Local Red Cross representatives, councillors and community services representatives opened their doors in Singleton at the Singleton Youth Venue to anyone struggling or requiring support following the incident.
Singleton locals with flag poles outside their homes including Jennifer Skilton have placed their flags at half-mast today “in respect for all involved in incident.”
“First responders, you have done us proud,” she said.
Other small businesses owners in the area have closed their doors for the day also “out of respect.”
“Shop closed Tuesday out of respect for those we lost in the horrific bus crash. We are heartbroken. Sending love and condolences to the families of those who lost their lives,” the owner of the Three Sista’s Cafe said.
“To be honest, it is too difficult to find the right words at the moment,” well-known publican and businessman Dale McNamara said through clouds of grief.
“We are a strong town, a very strong town, but this is going to shatter a lot of people for a very long time. “We all look out for one another and we will need to.”
One of Mr McNamara’s pubs, the Horse and Jockey Hotel in the heart of the town, has sponsored the Singleton Roosters AFL club for several years.
Many of those involved in the Greta bus tragedy have a close connection with the club.
Some had even played for multiple sporting clubs. The ripple effect was already palpable on Monday.
And like many in the town as word continued to filter through on Monday of who may have died and others badly injured, Horse and Jockey licensee Daniel Storey was reluctant to speak for fear he could upset those already battling untold grief.
He knows the town well and knows everyone will react differently to what will be immense grief once the rumours are confirmed.
Mr Storey also knew most of the Roosters – some were even at the pub last Thursday after training.
He and his hotel workers have become mates with many.
“It is a tragedy and it is going to rock the community for a long time,” Mr Storey said.
“Like a lot of locals, we are more than just a pub. These people are our friends, we know them well.
“When things are confirmed, it is going to be absolutely shattering news.”
Many Singleton Roosters members gathered at their home ground on Monday in support of their friends.
The football families hugged each other at Rose Point Park as they waited for further news on their teammates and loved ones who are believed to have been involved in the fatal crash.
AFL NSW/ACT released a statement on Monday “sending their love to” the football club members and their relatives.
“The AFL NSW/ACT is shocked and saddened by the bus tragedy in the Hunter Valley,” a spokesman wrote.
“We send our condolences to all those in the Singleton Roosters family and our Hunter Central Coast Community.”
Further down the road, multiple groups of family and close friends arrived at the home of the bride and groom throughout the day.
More than a dozen made their way through the front door of the home, some with luggage but all carrying a heavy burden.
Singleton locals also travelled to the crash site to pay their respects and leave flowers.
Simone and Steven Mueller said the news of the incident sent shockwaves through their tightly knit community.
“We only live down the road. It’s something that’s very close to home and touched us,” Ms Mueller said.
“It’s very sad for this whole community,” Mr Mueller said. “Our thoughts go out to those families, ten families who are grieving.”
Kim and John Grecho placed a bouquet of flowers near the crash site early Monday morning.
“We heard all the commotion last night and thought we’d do what we can,” Ms Grecho said.
“It’s really sad, just terrible. To have something like this happen so close to home is so sad.”
Mr Grecho added: “It’s terrible, it’s a shock to our system.
“One of the happiest days of your life turns into one of the most tragic days of your life.”
Singleton mayor Sue Moore said the “absolute tragedy” would reverberate across the district.
“I don’t think there could be anything worse than people attending a wedding [for this to happen], for these close knit communities of Singleton and Cessnock people will be affected quite widely and our thoughts and prayers go out to the families, friends and first responders,” Ms Moore said.
Member for Hunter Dan Repacholi attended the site on Monday morning.
“It’s honestly just devastating news for the families involved,” he said. “To leave such a beautiful venue and have an incident like this is heartbreaking.
“I take my hat off to first responders, this would be very confronting and very tough.”
“We’ve had people in the community reach out and say sorry to hear, nearly every other MP has reached out, there’s good support.”
The MP said there was “definitely not” an incident like this he could recall in his time in the community.
“To see an incident of this magnitude is just devastating.”
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