Warrandyte Cricket Club rallies for those injured in bus tragedy

Five Warrandyte cricket club members remain in hospital after the horror Hunter Valley bus crash, with the community’s support “a source of strength”.

Five Warrandyte cricket club members remain in hospital after the horror Hunter Valley bus crash, but are making “positive steps toward recovery”, accordig to officials.

Club insiders described the past week as “incredibly emotional” but said the support of the local community has been a source of strength.

Newly elected club president Luke Warren and his parents were among those recovering in hospitaly.

Melbourne real estate agent Nick Dinakis, whose partner Darcy Bulman died in the horror crash, moved from the intensive care unit at the John Hunter hospital to a less serious unit.

“We are pleased to report that on the latest information we have, those injured are all making positive steps towards recovery,” club treasurer David Molyneux said on Friday.

“We are a strong club and have come together this week to support one another through what has been a very difficult set of circumstances.”

Melbourne woman Darcy Bulman died in the Hunter Valley bus crash. Picture: Supplied

The Herald Sun understands a contingent of Melbourne-based wedding guests will return home in coming days after extending their stay in NSW following the tragedy.

The cricketers and five of their partners had travelled up to the Hunter Valley to celebrate their former teammate Mitchell Gaffney wed the love of his life Madeleine Edsell.

The couple, who began dating eight years ago, had been active members of the northeastern suburb’s sporting community prior to their move up north.

The cricket club urged people to donate to the Rotary Club of Singleton’s fundraiser to support the survivors, victims and their immediate families.

An official fundraiser had also been set up to help victims and their families, raising more than $14,000 by Friday evening.

Earlier this week Bulman was identified as the 10th wedding guest who lost her life in the crash.

Dylan Burns, a much-loved Warrandyte cricketer, was in a stable condition at the John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle.

Two patients are in a stable condition at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney.

Greg Warren, dad of fellow Warrandyte cricketer, Luke Warren, has been discharged from the John Hunter Hospital.

NSW Health confirmed two patients who were being treated at Maitland Hospital have also now been discharged.

Mr Burns was the most seriously injured passenger who survived the crash, suffering extensive injuries to his back and ribs.

Mr Gaffney’s best mate from Warrandyte Cricket Club, carpenter Brandon Stafford, was a groomsman at the wedding.

On Monday, his sister, Zoe, and mother , Kerrie, flew to be with him and were by his side.

He was being treated for a broken jaw after bravely helping rescue his friends from the wreckage while covered in blood and injured.

Brandon Stafford was a groomsman at the wedding. Picture: Facebook

His father, Peter Stafford, said he felt “very fortunate” his son was still alive.

“He’s an absolute gem and he’ll do anything for his mates,” the 57-year-old told the Herald Sun. “I’m very proud of him.”

Mr Stafford said he realised he was one of the lucky ones who would be able to hug his son and tell him again that he loved him.

“His operation went well and now he’s resting,” he said.

Mr Gaffney was a star player at the cricket club while Ms Edsell was a valued member of the netball club.

“(Mr Gaffney) is certainly well-loved and his family is well-loved by the Warrandyte community but also the cricket club, for sure,’’ Warrandyte Cricket Club president Royce Jaksic said.

“He remained close friends with a lot of people at our club. (They) have all gone up with partners, hoping to have a beautiful, joyous long weekend away and it’s turned into tragedy.’’

Bride and groom Madeleine Edsell and Mitchell Gaffney.

In 2015, Ms Edsell was one of only a small number of Warrandyte High School students to win scholarships for first year at university.

That was about the time she started dating Mr Gaffney.

Mr Gaffney’s sporting ability was well known in Warrandyte – in cricket he was promoted to firsts early on, and was also named in his footy club’s team of the decade two years ago.

Victorian government minister Steve Dimopoulos said the crash was an “extraordinary tragedy” after such a joyful event.

“It’s all too close to many of us in terms of a wedding celebration being a place of joy and (that has) turned into such a tragedy,” he said.

“It does give us pause to ­reflect that we are here at the King’s Birthday weekend. Everyone deserves to come home safe.”

— With additional reporting from Aneeka Simonis, William Keech, Josh Hanrahan and Clementine Cuneo