What started as a picturesque wedding in New South Wales, Australia, ended in calamity when a bus carrying attendees overturned, resulting in 10 fatalities and sending 25 people to hospital.
The devastating incident occurred in the Hunter Valley region amid dense fog, as per reports from the Mirror newspaper.
Authorities are currently examining the details of the unfortunate incident that transpired on Sunday evening. The driver of the bus, a man aged 58, has been taken into custody.
Tracy Chapman, Acting Assistant Commissioner for the New South Wales Police, expressed concerns that the death toll might potentially rise. She revealed that two severely injured individuals were air-lifted from the crash site, and with the bus still toppled over, some passengers could remain trapped beneath.
The police officer indicated that there was ample evidence to bring charges against the bus driver. Chapman stated, “He’s under arrest. Being the driver in a fatal motor vehicle collision, there will be impending charges.”
Australia’s Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, described the situation as “extremely cruel, sorrowful, and unjust.” He expressed deep sadness for the joyful day ending in such a tragic loss of life at a beautiful location.
During a press conference in Canberra, he remarked, “The bus was hired for the wedding to ensure guests’ safety, and this makes the tragedy even more unimaginable.”
The Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns, referred to the incident as “heartbreaking”. He commented on the sorrowful irony of a joyous day filled with love turning into a nightmare.
One of the wedding guests described the day to 7News as a “fairytale”, until the tragic news caused panic among the attendees.
Authorities are in the process of identifying the victims and notifying their families. Meanwhile, the New South Wales Police have requested relatives and friends of potential passengers to get in touch with Cessnock Police Station.
