Leigh Creek man Graham McBride left without beloved wife and daughter after Hunter Valley bus crash

The family of an SA mother and daughter killed in the Hunter Valley bus crash have spoken out after the shocking tragedy. Warning: Images of deceased people with First Nations heritage.

A happy, smiling family.

That was South Australian man Graham McBride’s reality until a horror bus crash in New South Wales’ Hunter Valley on Sunday night took everything from him.

Mr McBride, who grew up in the small mining town of Leigh Creek in South Australia’s far north, remains in hospital with life-changing neck injuries from the tragedy that killed his beloved wife Nadene and daughter Kyah.

Mr McBride and Ms McBride were both raised in Leigh Creek and attended Leigh Creek Area School, according to their social media profiles, before relocating to Singleton in NSW.

The tragedy has rocked the small town, where a relative of Mr McBride was notified of the incident on Tuesday morning.

The family released a statement through NSW Police on Tuesday afternoon.

“There are no words to describe the grief our family is feeling at this time,” they said.

“We ask that the media respect our privacy while we grieve and process this tragedy as a family unit.”

Mr McBride and Ms McBride’s niece took to social media on Tuesday, saying “my minds still trying to comprehend everything. My heart is heavy with pain”.

South Australian man Graham McBride with wife Nadene and daughter Kyah, who were killed in a horror bus crash in the Hunter Valley on Sunday night. Mr McBride was left with life-changing neck injuries as a result of the crash.

According to the 2021 Census, the town had a population of just 91.

Ms McBride and her daughter were remembered as “two wonderful ladies” by grieving friends on Tuesday.

“You both gave so much,” Leanne Lister posted on social media.

The Sydney Women’s AFL Masters also paid tribute to the women after the crash, which “shocked and saddened” the football community.

Bus driver Brett Andrew Button walks out of Cessnock Police Station after being granted bail. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Kyah and Nadene McBride from Singleton.

Nadene, Kyah and Graham McBride from Singleton – Mr McBride is in hospital, but his wife and daughter were killed in the bus crash.

“Our women’s masters football community is shocked and saddened by the tragic news that Nadene (Nads) McBride and her daughter Kyah have now been named as having passed away,” the post, written by Steph and Trace of the football league, read.

According to Mr McBride’s social media, he and Ms McBride were married on January 11, 1997.

Alayne Minns posted that “the world is a little darker without them”.

Kyah’s boyfriend Kayne Simons, 21, a respected Tasmanian surf lifesaver, was also killed in the crash.

“We are heartbroken to hear of the tragic passing of Kane Symons in the Hunter Valley bus tragedy,” Carlton Park SLSC president Christine Gaby said in a Facebook post.

His sister, Jamie Symons, said her brother was “a beautiful man”.

“Kane was a beautiful, kind and caring young man,” she said. “He was a leader, a great bloke and a mate to many.”

Ms Symons said he was a talented surfer and footballer.

“He spent most of his time at the beach as an avid surfer who travelled far and wide in search of a good wave,” she said.

“He put a smile on everyone’s face with his cheekiness especially throughout the Tasmanian surf lifesaving community.

“His presence lifted all those around him and gave them permission to show their best side. He will be dearly missed by many.”

Late on Monday, Brett Andrew Button, 58, was charged with 10 counts of dangerous driving occasioning death – drive manner dangerous, and negligent driving causing death.

Mr Button was granted bail after appearing in Cessnock Local Court on Tuesday.

Originally published as Leigh Creek man Graham McBride left without beloved wife and daughter after Hunter Valley bus crash