Heroic stories emerge in aftermath of Hunter Valley wedding bus crash
A groomsman who was caught up in a horrific wedding bus crash that left 10 dead sprang into action despite suffering a broken jaw.
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Details of the heroic actions of survivors of the horror Hunter Valley wedding bus crash on Sunday night are beginning to emerge.
Groomsman Brandon Stafford, 27, a close friend and former cricket teammate of groom Mitchell Gaffney, was on board the bus and sustained a broken jaw in the crash — but selflessly tried to help others despite his injuries, Nine News reports.
His mother told the station Mr Stafford pulled passengers from the flipped bus before being taken to hospital. She said she had received a phone call from her son around midnight to tell her there had been an accident, but at that stage she had no idea of the devastation.
Warrandyte Cricket Club president Royce Jaksic earlier told The Sydney Morning Herald there were up to nine current players and their partners on the bus.
He said some had suffered “some minor injuries — a broken jaw, a broken collarbone, things like that … but you know, compared to the 10 people that have tragically lost their lives, I think we’ve been blessed in this one”.
“If you do the math, they’ve been extremely lucky,” he said.
“We’ve just got fingers and toes crossed that no-one else loses their lives.”
Ten people were killed and 25 were hospitalised when the coach carrying 35 people rolled in NSW’s Hunter Valley, in Australia’s worst road disaster since 1994.
The group had left the wedding of Mr Gaffney and Madeleine Edsell at Wandin Valley Estate, a popular wedding venue in Lovedale, and were en route to nearby Singleton when the incident occurred at a roundabout at Wine Country Drive near the Hunter Expressway off ramp at Greta.
Overnight, the first victims were identified — Andrew and Lynan Scott, a husband and wife from Singleton, Zachary Bray from Byron Bay, Angus Craig from Queensland, Darcy Bulman from Sydney and Tori Cowburn and Rebecca Mullen, from Singleton.
Kane Symons also remains unaccounted for.
Bus driver Brett Andrew Button, 58, from Maitland, will face Cessnock Local Court on Tuesday morning charged with 10 counts of dangerous driving occasioning death, as well as one count of negligent driving.
On Monday night The Daily Telegraph reported an allegation from witnesses that Mr Button, 58, boasted to those on board the bus before the accident occurred.
According to report, some of the survivors who have spoken to police allege Mr Button addressed his passengers through the vehicle’s internal microphone moments before he lost control and said, “If you think that was fast … watch this.”
On Monday, CCTV emerged of the moment the bus was driven past a service station — just moments before it rolled.
Footage broadcast on Monday night by Nine News showed the bus passing a service station in the dark just moments before the tragedy.
The timestamp shows it was taken at 11.30pm on Sunday. Only minutes later and just 2km down the road, the unthinkable happened.
MC ‘covered with other people’s blood’
The MC at the Hunter Valley wedding said he was plucked from the wreckage “covered with other people’s blood”.
Local reporter Alex Tignani stepped in to host the nuptials of local football stars Mitchell Gaffney and Madeleine Edsell on Sunday, but the “fairytale” wedding ended in unspeakable tragedy, with fears the death toll could still climb higher.
Mr Tignani is among the injured at John Hunter Hospital, as are members of Mr Gaffney’s AFL club.
His mother Loretta Tigani told the Herald Sunthe 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.”
Mr Tigani, who works as the Deputy Editor at the Hunter River Times, was bruised in the crash, but escaped the worst of the impact as he was sitting on the right side of the bus.
Those seated on its left side sustained the worst injuries, as that was the side the vehicle landed on.
Ms Tigani said the newlyweds were “devastated” by the accident and the loss of their loved ones.
It has since emerged that Mr Gaffney is a longtime member of the Singleton Roosters AFL Club, and Ms Edsell a Singleton Roosterette, with a committee member telling The Daily Telegraphthe club was in “total shock”.
“I was at the wedding, not on the bus, obviously, but yes I was there earlier,” the member confirmed.
Earlier in the day, wedding celebrant Ashley Ogle posted a video of Mrs Gaffney arriving at the ceremony 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.”
Hours before the tragedy unfolded, the happy couple – who are originally from Melbourne, and who were described as “the most beautiful people” by Wandin Estate General Manager Leona Emeny – tied the knot before celebrating with around 100 loved ones at the picturesque Wandin Valley Estate in Lovedale, one of the most iconic vineyards in the world-famous region.
“Just like our handcrafted wines, creating a perfect wedding is all about the detail, and it’s in our DNA,” Wandin Valley Estate’s website said.
“Your special day at Wandin will be the perfect blend of Hunter beauty, fragrant settings, seasonal local cuisine, the finest wines and all the intricate and intimate details that can only be found when hosting a wedding at our unrivalled Lovedale estate.
“From wine, food and accommodation, your special day will be carefully curated by us down to every detail.”
Beautiful images of the wedding had been shared on social media before the accident unfolded, revealing a perfect celebration before the unthinkable devastation.
The incident – Australia’s worst road accident since 1994 – occurred just after 11.30pm on Sunday night, after the coach picked up around 45 guests from the wedding venue.
Around 17 minutes into the journey to guests’ accommodation in nearby Singleton, the bus – a 2009 Volvo B7R with 57 seats – 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.
So far, there have been 10 confirmed fatalities – although the death toll could rise further – and at least 25 people were hospitalised, with some losing their limbs in the tragedy.
NSW Premier Chris Minns confirmed on Monday afternoon that one person remains in a critical condition at Newcastle’s John Hunter hospital, while 20 patients are in stable conditions across it and other hospitals in the state, including Maitland hospital, Calvary Mater in Newcastle and Royal Prince Alfred hospital in Sydney.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday morning, NSW Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Tracy Chapman said it was “too early” to share specific details of the crash.
“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.
The bus company involved in the crash has been identified as Linq Bus Lines.
Meanwhile, Wandin Estate Winery, where the wedding was held, has released a moving statement in the wake of the crash.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of the victims and we are supporting in any way we can,” the statement said.
“At this time, we are providing support to those guests who need our help and we wish to maintain their privacy and won’t be making any further statements at this time.”
Police still contacting next of kin
Police are still working to identify the crash victims and contact their next of kin.
Family and friends of anyone who may have been on board the bus are urged to contact Cessnock Police Station on 02 4991 0199.
Witnesses – or anyone with information relevant to the circumstances surrounding the crash – are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 to keep the line to Cessnock Police Station clear for concerned family members.
Originally published as Heroic stories emerge in aftermath of Hunter Valley wedding bus crash
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