Hunter Valley bus crash survivor Sam Howard shares heartbreaking photo tribute to his fiance Bec Mullen
The fiance of a woman believed to have been killed in the horror wedding bus crash has shared a touching tribute to her.
WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are warned the story contains images and voices of deceased persons.
The fiance of a woman who is believed to have died after a horror wedding bus crash which claimed the lives of at least 10 people has shared a touching photo tribute.
At least 10 people are dead and 25 were hospitalised when the bus rolled on Wine Country Drive in the NSW Hunter Valley region on Sunday night.
Sam Howard, a survivor of the crash, shared a photo on Monday night of him and his fiance Bec Mullen, who is believed to have died in the incident.
He added three yellow hearts to the caption.
Hundreds of friends commented on the post, sending their love to Sam and sharing their memories of Bec.
“Such a beautiful soul taken way to young, heaven gained an angel,” one woman wrote.
“Bec was an absolutely wonderful person, a kind soul like none other. My thoughts and love are with you,” said another.
“Can’t believe your beautiful Bec has been taken from you.”
Sam and his fiance Bec graduated from the same high school in 2015.
It is not yet known if Sam was on the bus with her.
Just hours before the fatal crash, local football stars Maddy Edsell and Mitch Gaffney tied the knot surrounded by loved ones at Wandin Estate in Lovedale.
The 58-year-old bus driver, Brett Andrew Button, has been charged with 11 offences, including 10 dangerous driving offences occasioning death and will face court in the coming hours.
He was cleared from hospital after undergoing mandatory testing and was released without any serious injuries.
Acting Assistant NSW Police Commissioner David Waddell told reporters on Tuesday morning that 14 people remained in hospital, including two people who were in a critical condition in the intensive care unit at John Hunter Hospital.
The wedding guests on the bus range in age from in their 20s to 60s and include locals as well as interstate visitors.
Their injuries include lacerations, breaks and fractures, with some undergoing surgeries.
More than 40 first responders attended the scene of the crash, with a number of police officers rattled by the “chaotic” scene.
“We have had debriefs without police last night … and some of our police are visibly distraught,” Mr Waddell said.
Police will continue to interview witnesses and family members throughout the day.
First victims confirmed dead
A Hobart surf lifesaving club released a statement on behalf of Kane Symons’ family to say he had died during 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.
“Kane, otherwise known as ‘Superman’, was an amazing athlete who competed at the highest level. But more than that he was a leader, a great bloke and a mate to many. We adored him and he will be truly missed.”
A friend of Mr Symons shared a tribute to her Facebook page, saying: “Taken way too soon. You are so missed Kanos. Rest easy.”
The family of Nadene and Kyah McBride has also confirmed the passing of the mother and daughter.
“There are no words to describe the grief our family is feeling at this time,” they said in a statement through NSW Police on Tuesday.
The McBride family has also declined any request for interviews “while we grieve and process this tragedy as a family unit”.
Both had ties to the Singleton Roosters Football Club, where the bride and groom were both players.
Nadene was the club’s president, and is remembered as a “footy mad mate”.
A friend of the McBride family, Molly Simpson, said she was “absolutely devastated” and “in shock” over the news of the horrific crash.
“I genuinely don’t know what to say,” she said in a Facebook post on Monday evening.
Ms Simpson said she was not yet sure if everyone in the community had been informed of the identities of those on board the bus.
“This is for anyone that hasn’t heard yet. I didn’t know who to message individually,” she said.
“Nads and Kyah were pivotal in the Hunter AFL community and on top of that, just the most beautiful people.
“My heart is breaking for the Singleton Roosters Football Club and the families affected.
“Football is such a community sport and this will be felt by everyone in the community.”
Tributes flow for crash victims
Tributes continue to flood social media for the crash victims.
At least seven wedding guests remain unaccounted for after the crash as police work to identify loved ones involved in the incident.
Angus Craig, Andrew and Lynan Scott, Tori Cowburn, Bec Mullen and Zach Bray are among them.
Mr and Mrs Scott leave behind two young sons.
“My heart absolutely breaks for everyone involved, especially Andrew & his wife leaving behind two beautiful little baby boys,” a former colleague of Mr Scott wrote to her Facebook page.
His former club, Redland-Victoria Point Sharks Football Club in Victoria, shared a post remembering him as a “terrific member of the community”.
“Chisel, as he was known, played for the Bombers in 2014 alongside his brother Luke,” the club said in a Facebook post.
“He was a terrific member of our community both on and off the field and was characterised by his big heart and willingness to help anyone.”
A friend of six of the unaccounted for wedding guests shared a heartbroken message on social media on Tuesday morning.
“My minds still trying to comprehend everything. My heart is heavy with pain,” she said.
Another person who was friends with unaccounted for passenger Angus Craig said he was the “most beautiful soul”.
“Gus, you were the most beautiful soul,” he wrote. “I can’t understand this and I don’t think I ever will.”
Footy community rocked by tragedy
Locals from surrounding towns have shared tributes in the wake of the crash, particularly in support of the Singleton Roosters Football Club, of which many of the wedding guests were members of.
One man shared a photo of his football jersey laid out over his mailbox in a show of support for the tight-knit sporting community.
“In support of the Singleton Roosters Football Club and the horrific events of this mornings bus crash involving so many of their club,” he wrote in the caption.
“I am going to #putoutmygurnsey as a show of support for them.
“If you are apart of any sporting club I encourage you to do the same to show that sense of community and support to these people through an incredibly difficult time.”
AFL NSW/ACT sent out a statement on Monday morning on behalf of members of the sporting code who are sending their love to the Singleton Roosters and their loved ones.
“(We are) shocked and saddened by the bus tragedy in the Hunter Valley,” a spokesperson said.
“We send our deepest condolences to all those affected in the accident, including those in the Singleton Roosters family and our Hunter Central Coast community.”
The AFL has offered wellbeing support services to any member of the AFL community who needs it following the tragedy.
The Road Trauma Support Group NSW has encouraged the loved ones of those involved in the crash to reach out for support.
“We know the community will rally around those left behind in the wake of this crash,” RTSGNSW member Tom Daher said in a statement on Tuesday morning.
“What many don’t know is the journey that lies ahead,” he said.
Professional grief counsellors are available to support the families of road trauma victims.
If you or someone you know has been impacted by road trauma death and need help at this time, please reach out – Road Trauma Support Group Line: 1800 808 384
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