A tragic bus accident in Australia’s Hunter Valley wine region has claimed the lives of a minimum of 10 people and left over 20 hospitalised. Bonanza have been returning from a marriage celebration at a local winery on Sunday night time when the bus they had been travelling in overturned on Wine Country Drive near Greta, New South Wales. Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The 58-year-old bus driver has been arrested following the crash. According to New South Wales Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Tracy Chapman, the wedding visitors were en route to Singleton, doubtless for his or her accommodation. The accident occurred round 11:30pm local time when the bus rolled over while navigating a roundabout off a freeway. Chapman has warned that the death toll might rise as 25 passengers have been taken to hospital, with two being airlifted from the crash site.
The bus stays on its aspect, and there’s a possibility that individuals are nonetheless trapped beneath. A crane shall be brought to the scene at a later stage to carry the bus. Chapman said that there was “sufficient information” for the police to charge the bus driver, who was also hospitalised and handled for minor injuries. She added that heavy fog was current within the area on the time of the crash.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed his condolences, stating that it was “so merciless, so unhappy and so unfair” for a joyous day in a beautiful location to end with such a terrible loss of life. He noted that folks hire buses for weddings to ensure the security of their friends, which only provides to the unimaginable nature of the tragedy.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns echoed Albanese’s sentiments, calling the lack of so many lives “nothing short of heartbreaking.” He added that the truth that the crash occurred on a day meant for love and happiness only exacerbates the heartbreak. Hunter Valley is a popular destination for wine vacationers and group outings due to its vineyards and native bushland..