Wedding bus crash in Hunter Valley, Australia, kills at least ten

At least 10 people have been killed and over 20 others hospitalised with injuries of varying severities after a wedding bus overturned late on Sunday night while making a turn at a roundabout near Greta in Hunter Valley, New South Wales.

The passengers were on their way back from a wedding at a winery. Police say they are still probing the circumstances surrounding the crash in the popular wine region. Meanwhile, the 58-year-old driver of the bus has been arrested.

Death Toll Could Rise

According to NSW Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Tracy Chapman, the guests were travelling to Singleton “presumably for their accommodation”. With ten already declared dead, the number of fatalities could increase, she added.

25 passengers were rushed to hospital, with a couple of them airlifted from the crash site, Chapman continued, adding a crane will be brought to lift the bus as it’s still on its side, potentially trapping people underneath.

The coach driver was also brought to the hospital with minor injuries. Chapman said there was “sufficient information” to charge the person. Nevertheless, she also added there had been heavy fog in the area around the time of the accident.

Talking at a press conference in Canberra, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it’s “so cruel” for a “joyous day in a beautiful place like that” to end the way it did. While some of the injured passengers have been admitted to John Hunter Hospital, many have been flown to Sydney, he added.

Could Have Been A Complete “Fairy Tale”

With its vineyards and native bushland, Australia’s Hunter Valley is a popular spot for group outings and wine tourists. The day had been a “fairy tale” until the shocking news of the bus crash with such terrible loss of life broke, a guest at the wedding said.

Police said they’re still trying to identify the victims and contact their closest living relative(s). In a statement, they called on all whose family, friends or acquaintances may have been on board the crashed vehicle to contact Cessnock Police Station.