Speculation over foggy conditions, road work, erratic driving before deadly bus crash

As Australians reel from the devastating wedding bus crash that claimed 10 lives, attention is turning to what caused the tragedy.

Police are investigating a number of theories over the potential cause of a devastating wedding bus crash that claimed at least 10 lives overnight.

Brett Andrew Button, 58, from Maitland is now facing 10 counts of dangerous driving occasioning death after his bus carrying 35 people overturned on a roundabout.

The incident occurred in fog 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.

Police have confirmed 10 fatalities – although the death toll could rise further – with 25 passengers hospitalised, including some who have lost limbs.

It is understood 18 guests were uninjured in the crash.

There are fears the death toll could rise. Picture: ABC

‘Driving erratically’

Quoting police sources, Nine newspapers are reporting that the driver of the coach may have been “driving erratically” before the vehicle rolled.

However, tests reportedly showed he was not over the legal blood alcohol limit at the time.

Earlier on Monday NSW Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Tracy 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.

Meanwhile, locals have started to weigh in on potential circumstances surrounding the accident.

The blocked road at Wine Country Drive, Greta, which leads to the scene to the scene of a bus crash in the NSW Hunter Valley that left 10 dead. Picture: AAP Image/Darren Pateman

‘Foggy’ conditions

It is understood the conditions were so foggy at the time of the crash that some helicopters were unable to land in the area in the wake of the accident, and instead had to divert to a nearby housing development.

And speaking to ABC News Breakfast on Monday morning, Cessnock Mayor Jay Suvaal also confirmed there was significant fog at the scene.

“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.”

A local woman, Dianne, also told The Daily Telegraph there was “a lot of fog around though last night”.

Roadworks at scene

Meanwhile, a local business owner in the area told the ABC this morning that the large 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.

Photos from the crash site reveal foggy conditions. Picture: 9 News

“They’ve got barriers and the safety bollards and things up around there. It’s a 40km/h zone.”

However, Hunter Labor MP Dan Repacholi said he did not believe the reduction to one lane only at the roundabout would have contributed.

“We drive around the Hunter roads every day of the week. Those roads in that area are good roads. So I really can’t see that being an issue,” he told News Breakfast.

Originally published as Speculation over foggy conditions, road work, erratic driving before deadly bus crash