Hunter wedding bus crash: ‘Miracle’ tale emerges from bus wreckage

New information has emerged about a large group involved in a horrifying bus crash in the NSW Hunter Valley that killed 10 people who were on their way back from a wedding.

The semi-rural haven of Warrandyte is grieving over the Hunter Valley wedding tragedy after it emerged the bride and groom grew up in the outer eastern suburb of Melbourne and at least 13 locals were on the bus when it crashed.

Newlyweds Mitchell Gaffney and Madeleine Edsell were much-loved members of Warrandyte’s sporting community and many of the guests caught in the catastrophe were members of local clubs.

Warrandyte Cricket Club president Royce Jaksic said eight current players and five of their partners were on the bus, but miraculously all had survived.

Bride and groom Mitchell Gaffney and Madeleine Edsell with their celebrant Ashley Ogle. Picture: Instagram

Mitchell Gaffney and Madeline Edsell celebrate their nuptials.

“To have thirteen people we believe walk away is just nothing short of a miracle, and we’re feeling blessed,” he told The Australian.

“There are sketchy reports of different injuries to some but from what we understand nothing life-threatening.

“We are thankful for this, but of course, we turn our attention to those who have lost their lives and are still fighting for their lives and this is impacting families everywhere. And we are still unsure whether any of those people who have lost their lives are from Warrandyte, but maybe not involved in cricket. We don’t know. There is just so much up in the air right now.”

Mr Gaffney moved to NSW after completing a master’s degree in chemical engineering at the University of Melbourne in 2016. He also attended Warrandyte High School, graduating in 2011, the Herald Sun has reported.

‘‘Mitch and Maddie were members of our community, Maddie played netball, Mitch played both football and cricket,’’ Mr Jaksic said.

‘‘They were certainly much-loved and respected and that is shown by the amount of people who went up to NSW to celebrate their wedding.”

Mr Jaksic said the young couple maintained a lot of close personal friendships despite moving to NSW about five years ago.

“Everyone seemed to love them and they were very highly regarded,” he said.

Mr Jaksic said while Mr Gaffney had a reputation as a “handy” cricketer, his involvement in the club transcended sport.

“It really wasn’t about his cricket, it was about the type of bloke he was which people gravitated towards, he’s one of those guys that everyone seems to love and cherish as a mate, so our thoughts now go to Mitch and Maddie who each year are going to have a tough wedding anniversary.”

MC ‘covered in other people’s blood’

The master of ceremonies at the wedding told his mother the accident’s aftermath was like a “war scene”.

His mother Loretta Tigani told the Herald Sun the crash site resembled a “ devastating war scene” and that her son was “very upset” after watching friends die in the crash.

“They’re monitoring him for concussion, he was covered with other people’s blood,” Ms Tigani said.

“For him being the local reporter you get to know everyone.

“He was very emotional because he’s seen a lot of his mates die. It’s a small town so everybody knows each other.”

Guests at the wedding had spent the night dancing and celebrating at the popular reception venue before about 45 people boarded a bus to take them back to Singleton.

Mr Gaffney is a star player of the Singleton Roosters AFL Club while Ms Edsell is a player with the Hunter Valley women’s team.

The couple’s wedding celebrant Ashley Ogle posted a video of Mrs Gaffney arriving at the ceremony earlier on Sunday.

“Maddie also rocked up to the ceremony in a restored 1952 beetle convertible. It was so cool,” Ms Ogle posted on Instagram.

“So her dad, like they’ve been holding onto it for 42 years, and he got it ready for Madeleine … It was so cool to see her rock up in this bug.”

A guest at the reception posted a video to social media of Ms Edsell arriving at the ceremony through a line of trees.

Aerial scene coverage from the site where 10 people have died, and 11 people were hospitalised after a bus carrying wedding guests crashed in the Hunter Valley. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

Ten people have died so far and a further 21 are hospitalised. Two people were airlifted to hospital.

The bus driver has been put under arrest at Cessnock police station and police said they are expecting to file charges.

Groom Mitchell Gaffney and bride Madeleine Edsel cut their cake.

“He‘s the driver of a motor vehicle, there is sufficient information for us to establish that there will be charges but I won’t go into the details about those at this time,” Assistant Acting Commissioner Tracy Chapman told reporters earlier on Monday.

It was the largest single NSW motor vehicle incident in decades.

Political leaders have expressed messages of condolence.

Groom Mitchell Gaffney and bride Madeleine Edsell. Picture: Facebook

Mitchell Gaffney and Madeleine Edsell. Picture: Facebook

“All of us know the joy of going to a wedding, a chance to celebrate with dear friends and family,” Anthony Albanese said earlier on Monday.

“For a joyous day like that in a beautiful place, to end with such terrible loss of life and injury is so cruel and so sad and so unfair.”

NSW Premier Chris Minns said it was a “profoundly tragic event”.

“I extend my deepest condolences to the families, friends and loved ones of those who have been killed in this accident and those who are injured,” he said in a statement.

Police have set up a hotline for family members to contact police for information about passengers.

“Family and friends of a person who may have been on board the bus are urged to contact Cessnock Police Station on 02 4991 0199,” NSW Police said in a statement.