Addressing media on the ground at the fatal crash scene, Premier Chris Minns said: “Whatever the final toll is, in this terrible accident, it will be more than we can bear.”
NSW Premier Chris Minns has extended his deepest condolences in the wake of a bus crash in the Hunter Valley which killed ten people.
“This is 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,” Mr Minns said.
First responders rushed to Wine Country Drive near Greta about 11.30pm on Sunday after a coach carrying guests from a wedding overturned at a roundabout and rolled.
NSW Police confirmed ten people were killed in the crash but the death toll could rise with 25 people taken to hospital sustaining varying injuries.
Addressing media on the ground at crash scene, Mr Minns said “whatever the final toll is, in this terrible accident, it will be more than we can bear.”
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has provided an update on the passengers in hospital following the horror Hunter Valley bus crash which claimed the lives of ten people. Picture: NCA NewsWire Monique Harmer
“With so much happiness and joy, people came together to experience a day of joy and instead have been met with undeniable despair, it’s truly shocking to the people of New South Wales,” he told reporters.
The Premier said as of 10am this morning, there were at least 21 patients being treated across four hospitals in the state as he gave an update on their conditions.
“One patient is in a critical condition and eight patients are in a stable condition at John Hunter Hospital, five patients in a stable condition at Maitland Hospital, five patients are in a stable condition at Calvary Mater Newcastle, and two patients are in a stable condition in the RPA in Sydney,” he said.
First responders rushed to Wine Country Drive near Greta about 11.30pm on Sunday after a coach carrying guests from a wedding overturned at a roundabout and rolled. Picture: John Grainger
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“Thank you to the emergency health workers and service workers across the public health system this morning.”
The victims had attended a wedding at the Wandin Estate Winery in Lovedale and were being transported back to their accomodation in Singleton.
Officers from Cessnock Police Station have spent the morning taking calls from people who believe their relatives or friends may have been on board the bus when it rolled.
The victims were being driven from a wedding at Wandin Estate Winery in Lovedale when the coach overturned at a roundabout. Picture: David Swift
NSW Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Tracy Chapman said officers were still working through the process of identifying victims.
“At Cessnock Police Station we have a team there that are taking calls from concerned family and friends,” Act Comm. Chapman said.
“Those who have been taken to hospital and are being treated and cared for we were able to identify those and speak with some of those as well.
“In terms of those who are deceased, we certainly have a list of people who we are still trying to account for and we are working through that.”
‘I take my hat off to the first responders’: Hunter MP on the fatal bus crash
Ms Chapman said there were a number of victims that were able to free themselves from the wreckage and seek aid.
The 58-year-old driver was arrested and taken to Cessnock Police Station where he is assisting police but charges are yet to be laid.
Ms Chapman said police had “some witness statements” from those hospitalised.
However, she would not comment on whether the driver was driving erratically or if passengers were wearing seatbelts.
Premier Minns said there would be healing and trauma endured by the families in the coming days.
‘We need to be there for them’: Minns thanks emergency services for response to bus crash
“We know the community up here in Singleton and Cessnock have been rocked by this,” he said.
“The sympathies from everyone here, from the local community, and I think across New South Wales, will be with them.”
Mr Minns said the incident served as a reminder of the work emergency services do “every single day of the week”.
“To see NSW police and firefighters and paramedics attend the scene is very traumatic for them as well,” he said.
“I want them to know we’ll be there for them in the coming days and weeks, and thank them for their service to the people of New South Wales.
“I think I speak on behalf of everyone when we say thank god they’re there, we need them.”