Hunter Valley wedding bus crash: what we know so far
Ten people have died in a devastating bus crash in the Hunter Valley wine region of New South Wales as they returned from a wedding late on Sunday night.
Here’s what we know so far.
Ten people are confirmed to have died in the crash after a bus flipped on its side at a roundabout on Wine Country Drive near Greta about 11.30pm on Sunday.
The NSW premier, Chris Minns, updated the number of injured on Monday, saying 21 people were being treated across four hospitals, with one person in a critical condition and the rest stable.
Two people were airlifted to hospital, with the rest of the injured taken to nearby hospitals by road.
The driver of the bus, a 58-year-old man, was arrested. A crime scene has been declared at the site of the crash.
The people on the bus were travelling to their accommodation in Singleton after celebrating a wedding at Wandin Valley Estate in Lovedale, about 10km from the site of the crash.
The bus was owned by Linq, a company that operates group charter services for weddings in the region. The company has 30 years’ experience in the industry.
Wandin Valley Estate said it was “deeply saddened to hear of the bus crash overnight that has claimed the lives of some of our guests” and that it was offering support to guests and families.
Minns said it was a “profoundly tragic event. I know the whole community of NSW, and in particular the people of the Hunter, will be shocked and saddened to wake up to this news today.”
Acting police commissioner Tracy Chapman said first responders had faced “a confronting and very traumatic scene”.
It is understood no children were involved in the crash.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said some local residents were involved, as he sent his thoughts to the loved ones of those who died.
The mayor of Cessnock, Jay Suvaal, said the crash happened at a roundabout ramp. He said there was “a lot of fog around”, but police have so far given no information on what they believe was the cause of the crash.
Paula Sinclair of NSW Ambulance said police were working to notify families of the wedding guests and that paramedics did a “fantastic job under the circumstances”.
A number of roads were closed near the site of the crash on Monday, with police expecting investigations to take some time.
The Hunter Valley is a popular wine region about 170km north of Sydney.
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NSW premier Chris Minns talks to the press on a road near the site of the bus crash on Monday. Photograph: Saeed Khan/AFP/Getty Images
