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Newcastle Herald
Newcastle Herald
National

The lost lives of the Hunter Valley bus crash

Tributes have started to pour in for the people killed in the Greta bus crash.

THE victims of the Hunter Valley wedding bus crash have now been identified.

Newcastle Herald has confirmed the people lost in the devastating incident were married couple Andrew and Lynan Scott from Singleton, who leave behind two young children.

Zachary Bray from Byron Bay, Angus Craig from Queensland and Darcy Bulman were among the deceased.

The scene at the bus crash where at least 10 people have been killed. Picture Peter Lorimer
The scene at the bus crash where at least 10 people have been killed. Picture Peter Lorimer
The scene at the bus crash where at least 10 people have been killed. Picture Peter Lorimer
The scene at the bus crash where at least 10 people have been killed. Picture Peter Lorimer
The scene at the bus crash where at least 10 people have been killed. Picture Peter Lorimer
The scene at the bus crash where at least 10 people have been killed. Picture Peter Lorimer
The scene at the bus crash where at least 10 people have been killed. Picture Peter Lorimer
The scene at the bus crash where at least 10 people have been killed. Picture Peter Lorimer
The scene at the bus crash where at least 10 people have been killed. Picture Peter Lorimer
The scene at the bus crash where at least 10 people have been killed. Picture Peter Lorimer
The scene at the bus crash where at least 10 people have been killed. Picture Peter Lorimer
The scene at the bus crash where at least 10 people have been killed. Picture Peter Lorimer
The scene at the bus crash where at least 10 people have been killed. Picture Peter Lorimer
The scene at the bus crash where at least 10 people have been killed. Picture Peter Lorimer
The scene at the bus crash where at least 10 people have been killed. Picture Peter Lorimer
The scene at the bus crash where at least 10 people have been killed. Picture Peter Lorimer

Tori Cowburn and Rebecca Mullen, both from Singleton, were also killed in the crash. Nadene and Kyah McBride, a Singleton mother and daughter were among the victims, as well as Kane Symons.

TRIBUTES TO THE VICTIMS

Nadene and Kyah McBride were both members of the AFL community. Picture: Sydney Womens AFL Masters/Facebook

AN AFL COMMUNITY IN MOURNING

Many of the people lost in this tragedy were involved in the Singleton Roosters AFL Club.

Former club president Nadene McBride was a member of the Roosters' inaugural women's team which participated in the 2016 GE BDAFL competition. She was a forceful presence in the rebuilding of the club.

ROOSTERS: Tori Cowburn, Lynan Scott and club president Nadene McBride pictured in The Singleton Argus during the 2019 AFL season.

Andrew and Lynan Scott have been involved with the Singleton community since the end of 2014 when Lynan - a mining engineer - was offered a two-year graduate engineering position at Mt Thorley and the couple moved to the area.

Andrew was known as 'Mr Reliable' on the field and went on to become a playing coach, being selected multiple times in the AFL Hunter Central Coast 35-man representative squad.

Singleton Roosters midfielder Andrew Scott pictured in The Singleton Argus in 2016.

Kane Symons has been remembered by his family as "a great bloke".

Carlton Park Surf Life Saving Club president Christine Gaby released this statement following news of his death.

"[We] are heart broken to hear of the tragic passing of Kane Symons in the Hunter Valley bus tragedy. We send our love and support to Steve, Sarn and Jaimie. Kane, otherwise known as "Superman" was an amazing athlete who competed at the highest level. But more than that he was a leader, a great bloke and a mate to many. We adored him and he will be truly missed."

Kane Symons has been remembered by his family as "a great bloke".

The New England Nomads UNE Australian Football Club have remembered Singleton woman Rebecca Mullen for dedication to the club and her community.

"We are extremely saddened by the tragic news that one of our former players Bec Mullen died in the bus crash in the Hunter on Sunday. Bec was an extremely active member of the club, a wonderfully talented sportswoman and a friend to all who knew her. We offer our sincere condolences to her friends and family."

Rebecca Mullen. Picture: LinkedIn

Rebecca was a junior medical officer in the Hunter New England Local Health District. Susan Heyman, acting chief executive said "our hearts go out to the family, friends and colleagues of Dr Rebecca Mullen."

"Rebecca has been a highly valued member of our team for just over 12 months, having worked most recently at Calvary Mater Newcastle. To have one of our own unaccounted for in these circumstances is a tragedy that is felt by us all.

"Our priority right now is providing support to Rebecca's family and colleagues at this incredibly difficult time."

She was also remembered in a statement from Hunter Valley Grammar School.

"The HVGS community is mourning the loss of our talented alumni, Rebecca Mullen, who died in the tragic bus accident in the Hunter Valley last weekend.

"Rebecca was the HVGS School Captain in 2015 and a talented sportswoman and scholar. She is remembered for her kindness, warmth, and compassionate leadership.

"Rebecca was known as a beautiful soul who brought joy to those around her. Our hearts go out to the Mullen family as they mourn their child and sister, and all members of our community who have been impacted by this horrific tragedy."

Zachary Bray from Byron Bay lost his life in the crash.

FAIRYTALE WEDDING ENDS IN HORROR CRASH

Police have formally charged the bus driver involved in Sunday night's crash near the Hunter Expressway which stands as one of the region's worst ever.

Ten killed in NSW wedding bus crash

Mitchell Gaffney and Madeleine Edsell have been named as the couple who tied the knot at Wandin Estate on Sunday before the night took a tragic turn and one of the buses transporting guests from the wedding crashed, killing 10 people.

Mitchell Gaffney and Madeleine Edsell's wedding ended in tragedy on Sunday.

The newlyweds are part of the Singleton Roosters AFL Club and many members from the sporting community were in attendance at the wedding.

Emergency services were called to Greta near the Hunter Expressway off-ramp about 11.30pm on Sunday to calls a coach, which police said was carrying 35 people and a driver, had rolled.

Police confirmed on Friday evening the 58-year-old driver would face 10 counts of dangerous driving occasioning death.

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TRIBUTES FLOOD IN FOR FATAL CRASH VICTIMS

An emotional Cessnock Mayor Jay Suvaal said Sunday night's bus crash has rocked the greater Cessnock community

"I saw a statement this morning from NSW Police as well," he said on Monday.

"My initial reaction was one of concern without knowing all the details and as more information filtered through the enormity of the event came to light.

"This is truly devastating.

"I am shocked and my thoughts go out to the friends and families of those involved in the crash," Cr Suvaal said.

"I have to extend great thanks to the first responders at the scene."

Cr Suvaal said Cessnock City Council will be taking advice from emergency services.

"At the moment we will give any assistance in regards to road closures and support where needed within our community," Cr Suvaal said.

The mayor said he did not know whether those involved in the incident were local Hunter Valley people or from outside the area.

"At this time it is important to encourage everyone to be aware of road closures and to avoid the area.

"Cessnock is waking up to this shocking news and what has happened is truly tragic.

"We have not experienced such a disaster since coalfields mine disasters decades ago," Cr Suvaal said.

"Our thoughts are with everyone involved and we will support them where we can," Cr Suvaal said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and many other political leaders left messages of support on Monday.

This story will be updated as new information is released.

To see more stories and read today's paper download the Newcastle Herald news app here.

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