THE SQUIZ

At least 10 people have died after a bus transporting 35 wedding guests rolled at a roundabout just off the Hunter Expressway near Greta in the NSW Hunter Valley on Sunday night. Reports say emergency services were called just after 11:30pm, and Acting Assistant Police Commissioner Tracy Chapman said they arrived at “a confronting and very traumatic scene” that saw survivors pulled through the front of the bus. Authorities released the names of the dead overnight, but yesterday confirmed that 25 people were transported to several hospitals, including one patient who’s in critical condition. NSW Health yesterday confirmed that 10 have been discharged, and said those who remain under care have “varying injuries”.

DO WE KNOW WHAT HAPPENED?

The short answer is no – police say the crash site “will require scientific examination” with forensic experts piecing together what happened. What is known is the Linq Bus Lines bus was transporting 35 guests from the Wandin Estate winery to Singleton after the wedding of local couple Mitchell Gaffney and Maddy Edsell. Singleton’s mayor Sue Moore says she believes many of the victims are from the town and could be linked to the Singleton Roosters Aussie Rules club, where the groom plays. As for the driver, police say 58yo Brett Button from Maitland was taken to hospital for mandatory testing after the crash, and then taken to Cessnock Police Station where he was arrested. He was charged with 10 counts of dangerous driving occasioning death late yesterday afternoon and will appear at Cessnock Local Court this morning. 

HAS THERE BEEN A BUS ACCIDENT LIKE THIS IN OZ BEFORE? 

Unfortunately, yes – there’s been several horrific bus crashes with fatalities in the double-digits over the years, and with 10 confirmed deaths, the Greta crash is the equal 7th-worst road crash in our history. Sunday’s crash is the worst loss of life in a single road incident since 1994, when a bus crashed at Boondall in Queensland, killing 12 people. Our worst road crash on record was at Kempsey in 1989 when 35 people died. Yesterday, PM Anthony Albanese thanked the first responders and medical staff. “The mental scars of this will not go away. They are there forever and we need to make sure that when the spotlight leaves the care doesn’t,” he said. No doubt those with memories of past tragedies will second that…