Wedding bus crash in Australian wine region kills 10, injures 20
A tragic bus accident in Australia’s Hunter Valley wine region has claimed the lives of at least 10 individuals and left over 20 hospitalised. The passengers were returning from a wedding celebration at a local winery on Sunday night when the bus they were travelling in overturned on Wine Country Drive near Greta, New South Wales. Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The 58-year-old bus driver has been arrested following the crash. According to New South Wales Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Tracy Chapman, the wedding guests were en route to Singleton, likely for their accommodation. The accident occurred around 11:30pm local time when the bus rolled over while navigating a roundabout off a highway. Chapman has warned that the death toll may rise as 25 passengers were taken to hospital, with two being airlifted from the crash site.
The bus remains on its side, and there is a possibility that people are still trapped underneath. A crane will be brought to the scene at a later stage to lift the bus. Chapman stated that there was “sufficient information” for the police to charge the bus driver, who was also hospitalised and treated for minor injuries. She added that heavy fog was present in the area at the time of the crash.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed his condolences, stating that it was “so cruel, so sad and so unfair” for a joyous day in a beautiful location to end with such a terrible loss of life. He noted that people hire buses for weddings to ensure the safety of their guests, which only adds to the unimaginable nature of the tragedy.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns echoed Albanese’s sentiments, calling the loss of so many lives “nothing short of heartbreaking.” He added that the fact that the crash occurred on a day meant for love and happiness only exacerbates the heartbreak. Hunter Valley is a popular destination for wine tourists and group outings due to its vineyards and native bushland.
A wedding guest described the day as a “fairy tale” until news of the accident broke, causing panic among the attendees. Police are still in the process of identifying the crash victims and contacting their next of kin, urging family and friends of those who may have been on the bus to contact Cessnock Police Station.
