A wedding bus crashed in an Australian wine region, killing at least ten guests and injuring 25 more.
On Sunday night, the passengers were returning from a wedding at a winery when their coach overturned on Wine Country Drive near Greta in Hunter Valley, New South Wales.
Police say they are looking into the circumstances of the incident.
The bus’s driver, a 58-year-old man, has been arrested.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Tracy Chapman of NSW Police said the guests were traveling to Singleton “presumably for their accommodation.” The crash happened around 23:30 p.m. local time.
Ms Chapman stated that the number of fatalities could rise because 25 passengers were brought to the hospital, two of whom were evacuated from the incident. She went on to say that the bus was still on its side and that passengers could be trapped below.
Ms Chapman stated that police had “sufficient information” to charge the coach driver.
“He’s been arrested.” “He was the driver in a car accident that resulted in fatal injuries, and charges will be filed,” she stated.
It is “so cruel, so sad, and so unfair” for a “joyous day in a beautiful place like that to end with such terrible loss of life,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.
“People hire buses for weddings in order to keep their guests safe, and that just adds to the unimaginable nature of this tragedy,” he said at a press conference in Canberra.
Some of the injured passengers, according to Mr Albanese, are at John Hunter Hospital, but several have been evacuated to Sydney.
The loss of so many lives was “nothing short of heartbreaking,” according to NSW Premier Chris Minns, who added, “For this horrific crash to have occurred on a day that should have been filled with love and happiness only adds to the heartbreak.”
“It is cruel indeed for a day of joy to end in such devastating loss.” “Our hearts go out to those who have been injured,” he added.
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Hunter Valley is famous among wine tourists and group activities due to its vineyards and native bushland.
A wedding guest described the day as a “fairy tale” until the catastrophe occurred.
“We all started panicking,” he explained to 7 News.
According to police, they are still attempting to identify the collision victims and notify their next of kin.
“Family and friends of a person who may have been on board the bus are urged to contact Cessnock Police Station,” a statement stated.
