The football club that lost five of its members in last week’s Hunter Valley bus crash has spoken publicly for the first time since the tragedy.
Key points:
- The Singleton Roosters have issued a statement following last week’s Hunter Valley bus crash
- The crash claimed the lives of 10 people
- Rotary Australia plans to start distributing money from its bus tragedy fund from today
The crash claimed the lives of 10 people on their way back from a wedding last Sunday night; with half of the victims having played for the Singleton Roosters Australian Football Club.
In a statement read to media today, club president Dylan Hixon said they had been left “devastated” by the incident.
“Our community has experienced unfathomable heartache, distress [and] sadness after a number of people closely connected to the club were onboard and either injured or killed,” he said.
“The club extends its deepest sympathies to the families who have lost loved ones, while our thoughts are with everyone close to each person involved.
“Our first priority and focus is supporting the families, friends, those from our wider club community who have been affected by this unspeakable tragedy.”
Mr Hixon asked for respect as the community continued to process the incident.
“We appreciate there is significant media and public interest in this tragedy and those involved,” he said.
“We ask for the privacy of our community to be respected as we collectively grieve and process this enormous loss.”
In a statement issued through the premier’s office this afternoon, the wedding’s bride and groom Mitchell Gaffney and Madeleine Edsell asked the media for privacy.
“While we appreciate the outpouring of love and support from the community, we ask that the media respect our privacy while we grieve,” the statement read.
“Our primary focus at this time is processing this tragedy, and supporting our family and friends.”
On social media platform LinkedIn, the groom’s father John Gaffney thanked the community for their support and prayers after the event that “shattered their lives”.
He also called for seatbelts to be fitted to all buses, and for wearing them to be mandatory.
“Hopefully something positive can come out of this tragedy,” he said.
“50 years ago the fitting and wearing of seat belts became compulsory in Australia for all occupants of motor cars saving countless lives since.
“We believe ultimately everyone who rides a bus should have access to a seatbelt and be compelled by laws to wear them.”
He urged for a petition to be started and for people to lobby their federal and state members.
Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said in a statement she would have more details soon on the crash investigation and its findings.
But her department is working with safety regulators and experts to “restore confidence in the safety of our bus network for our passengers and drivers”.
Funds to be distributed from today
Rotary Australia plans to begin distributing money from its Hunter Valley Bus Tragedy fund to those impacted by the incident from today.
The fund has raised more than $295,000 in five days, not including $120,000 raised by the Singleton Roosters and a $100,000 contibution from the state government.
Assistant chair of Rotary Australia’s community services, Brian Coffey, said there have already been requests for funds from victims and their families.
“We’ve got victims here who are going to have ongoing expenses and we just don’t know how much they will be,” he said.
“We’ve also got a couple of young children who have been orphaned through the incident and we are looking at supporting them.”
A committee has been formed to ensure the money raised is distributed fairly.
Representatives from Singleton Council, Singleton Sunrise Rotary Club, Singleton Roosters AFL Club, Warrandyte-Donvale Rotary Club and Warrandyte Cricket Club make up the committee.
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