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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
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| Hunter Valley: Ten people killed in wedding bus crash in Australia | Hunter Valley: Ten people killed in wedding bus crash in Australia |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| At least 10 people have died and 25 others are in hospital after a wedding bus crashed in an Australian wine region. | |
| The passengers were returning from a wedding at a winery on Sunday night when their coach overturned on Wine County Drive near Greta in Hunter Valley, New South Wales. | |
| Police say they are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash. | |
| The driver of the bus, a 58-year-old man, has been arrested. | |
| NSW Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Tracy Chapman said the guests were travelling to Singleton "presumably for their accommodation". The crash occurred around 23:30 local time. | |
| The number of fatalities could increase, with 25 passengers taken to hospital - two of them airlifted from the crash, Ms Chapman said. She added that the bus is still on its side and people could be trapped underneath. | |
| Ms Chapman said there was "sufficient information" for police to charge the coach driver. | |
| "He's under arrest. He's been the driver of a motor vehicle collision where there have been fatal injuries and there will be charges pending," she said. | "He's under arrest. He's been the driver of a motor vehicle collision where there have been fatal injuries and there will be charges pending," she said. |
| Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said 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". | |
| "People hire a bus 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. | |
| Mr Albanese said some of the injured passengers are at John Hunter Hospital, but many have been flown to Sydney. | |
| NSW Premier Chris Minns said the loss of so many lives was "nothing short of heartbreaking", adding: "For this horrific crash to have occurred on a day that should have been filled with love and happiness only adds to the heartbreak". | NSW Premier Chris Minns said the loss of so many lives was "nothing short of heartbreaking", adding: "For this horrific crash to have occurred on a day that should have been filled with love and happiness only adds to the heartbreak". |
| "For a day of joy to end in such devastating loss is cruel indeed. Our thoughts are also with those who have been injured," he said. | "For a day of joy to end in such devastating loss is cruel indeed. Our thoughts are also with those who have been injured," he said. |
| Hunter Valley is known for its vineyards and native bushland, making it a popular spot for wine tourists and group outings. | |
| A guest at the wedding said the day had been a "fairy tale" until news of the accident broke. | A guest at the wedding said the day had been a "fairy tale" until news of the accident broke. |
| "We all started panicking," he told 7 News. | "We all started panicking," he told 7 News. |
| Police said they are still working to identify the crash victims and contact their next of kin. | Police said they are still working to identify the crash victims and contact 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," they said in a statement. | "Family and friends of a person who may have been on board the bus are urged to contact Cessnock Police Station," they said in a statement. |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| New South Wales | New South Wales |