A 58-year-old Maitland man will face Cessnock Local Court on Tuesday charged over a fatal bus crash in the Hunter region of New South Wales.
Ten people have been confirmed as killed when the bus rolled, with some 25 others taken to hospital with varying injuries – including one person who remains in a critical condition.
Some of the injured have since been released from hospital.
The bus, a 2009 Volvo B7R with 57 seats, was returning guests from a wedding reception at Wandin Estate Winery at Lovedale to Singleton – about 30 minutes away – where several media outlets have reported the group is from.
The driver of the bus – reportedly identified as Brett Andrew Button – was taken to hospital under police guard for mandatory testing and assessment.
He was later transferred to Cessnock Police Station, where he was charged with 10 counts of dangerous driving occasioning death – drive manner dangerous, and negligent driving (occasioning death).
He was refused bail.
Complex investigation
On Monday afternoon, the bus had been returned to the upright position in a ‘delicate’ operation at the site of the crash.
NSW Police acting assistant commissioner Tracy Chapman said traffic and highway police, Fire and Rescue NSW and NSW Ambulance were first on the scene and immediately broke the bus windscreen to help survivors.
Ms Chapman said on Monday it was possible the death toll would increase if more people were found trapped in the bus or if those with injuries worsened.
“The most complex part of this job ahead for police now is actually accounting for the victims and passengers on the bus,” Ms Chapman said.
“You can imagine the scene that was confronting police when they attended and that many of those people were treated [and] some people were transported to different locations and then rediverted.”
Police said emergency services were called to the roundabout on Wine Country Drive, near the Hunter Expressway off ramp, at Greta about 11.30pm on Sunday, after reports a coach had rolled.
Police believe 36 people were on the bus at the time, with 10 passengers declared dead and 25 passengers transported to hospital via helicopter and road.
Investigations are continuing at the scene, which is being examined by specialist forensic police and officers from the Crash Investigation Unit.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
The large-scale emergency response involved officers from Hunter Valley Police District, Police Rescue, Traffic and Highway Patrol, NSW Ambulance paramedics, NSW Fire and Rescue, NSW Rural Fire Service, and various helicopters for hospital transports.
