Hunter Valley Greta Bus Crash: Chilling Audio From First Responders On The Scene As Wedding Guests Died
Chilling audio from emergency scanners has surfaced, revealing the devastating scenes first responders encountered after a bus returning from a ‘fairytale’ wedding crashed in NSW killing at least 10 people.
The bus was en route from the Wandin Estate winery wedding venue in the Hunter Valley wine region when it rolled into a roundabout at 11:30 p.m. Sunday.
It is understood that the area was shrouded in heavy fog at the time of the crash and the roundabout on Wine Country Drive near the Hunter Expressway exit in Greta, 12 km from the estate, was under construction.
At least 10 of the 39 passengers were killed, 11 had to be airlifted or taken by ambulance to hospital, while the remaining wedding guests were unharmed.
At least 10 people have died after the bus they were traveling in crashed from the wedding venue of the Wandin Estate winery in the Hunter Valley wine region (pictured)
Emergency services including ambulance, NSW Fire and Rescue, NSW Rural Fire Service, police and Highway Patrol rushed to the crash site after a chilling Triple-0 call.
Major incident declared. We have a bus that overturns. Multiple patients,” a first responder sounds in the audio of a triple-0 call shared by Today.
“At this stage we have identified seven, I repeat, seven code fours.”
“We have one patient with a red label whose injuries are serious. And unfortunately, we expect this to be code four as well.
‘At this stage we have several patients with a red and orange label. I need all the resources allocated to continue. I’m still trying to calculate exactly how many patients I have here.’
‘Code four’ refers to a patient who has died, while ‘red label’ means the patient is critical and ‘orange label’ indicates a patient in a serious condition.
The death toll is expected to rise to as many as 15 people, with the seriously injured, including those who have lost limbs, have been transferred to Newcastle’s John Hunter Hospital, the region’s largest trauma hospital.
Two people have reportedly been airlifted to Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital for life-saving surgery.
Emergency services rushed to the scene of the crash after receiving a chilling Triple-0 call announcing a ‘major incident’ and ‘code fours’
At least 10 of the 39 passengers were killed, 11 had to be airlifted or taken by ambulance to hospital, while the remaining wedding guests were unharmed
The 58-year-old bus driver was taken to hospital under police guard for mandatory drug and alcohol tests
The uninjured bus driver, a 58-year-old man, was taken to hospital under police guard for mandatory blood and alcohol tests.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Tracey Chapman said Monday morning there was ‘enough information’ for police to press charges against the bus driver currently under arrest at Cessnock police station.
“He was the driver of a motor vehicle that has caused multiple fatalities and charges will be filed,” Deputy Commissioner Chapman said.
“It’s a tragic turn of events, we couldn’t count the number of family members and the wider community affected by this.”
The specialized forensic police and the Crash Investigations Unit have identified a crime scene and are investigating the cause of the accident.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it is cruel that a day of joy ends in a devastating loss.
Mr. Albanese also sent his condolences to all involved in the horror crash.
“All Australians waking up to the tragic news of the Hunter extend our deepest condolences to the loved ones of the victims of this horrific bus tragedy,” Albanese wrote on Twitter.
“For a day of joy to end in such devastating loss is cruel indeed.”
One wedding guest told 7News: “It was a fun day, a pretty good wedding… fairytale stuff really… and we went back to get drunk, and we got the news that there had been an accident, and we all started to panic’
Assistant Commissioner Tracy Chapman (pictured) said there was ‘enough information’ for police to press charges against the bus driver currently under arrest at Cessnock police station
It is believed that many of the highway guests had traveled with guests attending a wedding at the nearby Wandin Estate winery.
One contestant expressed disbelief after being told of the tragedy.
“It was a nice day, a pretty good wedding… fairytale stuff, actually… and we went back to get drunk, and we got the news that there had been an accident, and we all started to panic” , one participant told 7NEWS.
The Regional Roads Minister and Maitland MP described the crash as a “terrible tragedy”.
“Everyone is working together and the bottom line is we have to make sure the families and the community are supported during such a terrible time,” she said.
It is considered one of the worst multi-fatal road accidents in nearly 30 years.
The roundabout where the bus crashed was restricted to one lane in recent months due to construction work
In 1994, a bus crash in Boondall, Queensland, resulted in the deaths of 12 people.
A year later, a collision between a lorry and a bus on Melbourne Cup Day at Wangaratte in Victoria led to the deaths of ten people.
Family and friends of anyone who may have been on the bus are urged to contact Cessnock Police Station on 02 4991 0199.
Witnesses – or anyone with any information about the crash – are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 to clear the line to Cessnock Police Station for concerned family members.