Police are investigating how a bus carrying dozens of wedding guests crashed, killing 10 and injuring at least 21.
WHAT HAPPENED
* A charter bus carrying about 40 passengers rolled onto its side at Greta in the NSW Hunter Valley region about 11.30pm on Sunday
* The crash happened at a roundabout on Wine Country Drive just near the Hunter Expressway off-ramp
* Authorities said the 2009 Volvo B7R with 57 seats rolled about 17 minutes into the journey
* The bus was returning guests from a wedding reception at Wandin Estate winery in Lovedale to Singleton, about 30 minutes away
WHO WAS INVOLVED
* 10 people are dead, as of 9am on Monday their bodies were still in the bus
* At least 21 people were taken to four hospitals with varying injuries, including one person who remains in a critical condition
* The bride and groom of the wedding guests involved in the crash have been identified in multiple media reports as Mitchell Gaffney and Madeleine Edsell, stalwarts of the Singleton Roosters AFL team
* The bus was owned by Linq which provides school bus and event charters
HOW DID IT HAPPEN
* Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Tracy Chapman said the bus was the only vehicle involved but could not say why it rolled
* Cessnock City Council Mayor Jay Suvaal said there was “a lot of fog around” but the investigation was ongoing
WHAT HAPPENS NOW
* A crime scene has been established, which will be examined by specialist forensic police and the force’s Crash Investigation Unit
* The 58-year-old bus driver was taken to Cessnock police station where he was arrested and is expected to be charged
* A crane will need to be brought in to right the bus
* Police say it is possible there are people still trapped at the scene
* Friends or family of anyone who may have been on the bus are asked to contact Cessnock police as officers are still trying to identify everyone involved
* Family liaison officers are being assigned to victims for welfare support
* Anyone with information on the accident should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000
REACTIONS
* “It was confronting and very traumatic scene,” Tracy Chapman
* “For a day of joy to end in such devastating loss is cruel indeed,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
“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,” NSW Premier Chris Minns
* “It’s truly tragic circumstances where quite a lot of people have sadly lost their lives,” Cessnock City Council Mayor Jay Suvaal