Singleton Roosters AFL club members have revealed their “unfathomable heartache” after the horror NSW Hunter Valley bus crash that killed 10 and injured many more, many close to the tight-knit sports group.
The town Singleton, which has a population of about 4200 people, was hit the hardest by the crash just over a week ago. Those who died were mostly young people who were travelling home after a wedding.
Seven were local to the area, and many had close ties to the Singleton Roosters AFL club. Among them were newlyweds Mitchell Gaffney and Maddy Edsell, whose wedding the bus was leaving when the accident occurred.
On Monday, president Dylan Hixon made his first public statements since the June 11 tragedy. He said members were leaning on each other for support.
“The Singleton Roosters Australian Football Club has been devastated by the tragic bus incident in the Hunter Valley,” he said at Rose Point Park, where the football club trains and plays.
“Our community has experienced unfathomable heartache, distress, and sadness after a number of people closely connected to the club were on board and either injured or killed.
“We will lean on each other through this incredible and difficult time with the memory of everyone that has been lost at the forefront of our thoughts.”
Mr Hixon asked for privacy to allow the club collectively to grieve and process the loss.
“Our first priority and focus is on supporting the families, friends and those from the wider club community who have been affected by this unspeakable tragedy,” he said.
Among the victims were Nadene McBride, who coached the Singleton Roosterettes, her 22-year-old daughter Kyah who played in the team, as well as Kyah’s boyfriend, Kane Symons.
Also killed were Singleton husband and wife Andrew and Lynan Scott who both played for Singleton Roosters teams and left behind two young children.
Tori Cowburn, who also died, was captain of The Roosterettes and worked for mining company, Thiess.
Darcy Bulman, a 30-year-old investigator for the Australian Securities and Investments Commission from Melbourne was killed. Her partner is believed to be injured.
Rebecca Mullen, a junior doctor and Singleton local working at Calvary Mater Newcastle hospital, was one of the younger victims.
Others who died were Zach Bray, who was working as a mining engineer in the Hunter region and engineer Angus Craig who had worked with mining company BHP in Queensland.
Hunter MP Dan Repacholi said nine victims remained in hospital. Two are in intensive care.
Two community gatherings and memorials had been set up in Singleton and Greta, he said.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said more than half a million dollars had already been donated to Rotary’s Hunter Valley (NSW) Bus Tragedy Fund, to help victims and their families.
“Pleasingly, we’re at about $600,000 or $611,000, which is a significant number,” he told Sydney radio 2GB on Monday.
The football club has also raised more than $121,000 through a GoFundMe it has since closed. The money will go towards families affected by the bus crash, including the Scotts’ two children under five.
Investigations into the crash continue. Bus driver Brett Button, 58, last week faced Cessnock Local Court charged with 10 counts of dangerous driving causing death.
-with AAP
