Key Points
- Ten people have been killed in a bus rollover in NSW's Hunter Valley.
- The bus driver has been arrested and charged.
- Twenty five people have been taken to hospital.
Ten people have been killed in a bus rollover in NSW's Hunter Valley last night, as the bus was driving guests to accommodation after a wedding.
The crash is one of the deadliest in Australia's history.
Emergency services were called to the crash site at about 11.30pm on Sunday at a roundabout on Wine Country Drive near Greta after reports the coach had rolled.
The 58-year-old bus driver was taken to hospital under police guard for mandatory testing and assessment. He was then arrested and taken to Cessnock police station.
The man was charged with ten counts of dangerous driving occasioning death - drive manner dangerous, and negligent driving (occasioning death), according to NSW Police.
The Maitland man was refused bail and is set to appear at Cessnock Local Court on Tuesday, the police said.
Police Commissioner Karen Webb said the driver is "currently in the charging process" but did not state what the charges might be.
She praised the police and other emergency workers.
How many people were involved?
Ms Webb said 36 people were on the bus, including the 10 who had died.
Police later said 25 people were taken to hospital, including two who needed airlifting.
As of around 10am, NSW Health reported 21 people were being treated across four different hospitals.
Locals Kim and John Greko arrive to lay flowers near the scene of the bus crash in Hunter Valley. Source: AAP / Darren Pateman
Where was the bus crash?
The bus had been travelling north from a wedding reception at Lovedale, around 10km from the crash site, to the town of Singleton.
The NSW member for Hunter, Daniel Repacholi, said there were roadworks, a lot of land development around the crash site, and foggy conditions.
"The whole area was very busy, there was festivals happening all over the area, but, you know, it's now coming to terms with what has happened. It really is a tragic accident," he told ABC News.
The Hunter Valley is a popular wine region and wedding destination around 170km from Sydney and was reportedly busy over a long weekend in the state.
Singleton Mayor Sue Moore said it will take months for the community to heal.
How have the police responded to the incident?
An investigation into the crash has started following a large-scale emergency response involving local police, rescue squad and highway patrol officers, ambulance paramedics, NSW Fire and Rescue and the Rural Fire Service.
Ms Webb said the bus had only been turned right-side-up from its side around 3pm.
A crime scene has been established, which will be examined by specialist forensic police and the force's Crash Investigation Unit.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Tracy Chapman said it was a single-vehicle collision, and no children were involved in the crash.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Tracy Chapman addresses the media near the scene of a bus crash in the NSW Hunter Valley. Source: AAP / Darren Pateman
NSW Premier responds
Speaking from Greta, NSW Premier Chris Minns said the crash was "truly shocking to the people of New South Wales".
"Whatever the final toll is in this terrible accident, it will be more than we can bear," he said.
"The next few days and weeks may be worse than the initial shock, as it fully comes to realisation of what this community has gone through."
NSW Premier Chris Minns addresses media near the scene in Greta. Source: AAP / Darren Pateman
The mayor of Cessnock, Jay Suvaal, said news of the fatal crash was "truly horrific".
"This is truly a horrific day for our community. It was something that no-one wanted to wake up to - this news," he said.
"My thoughts and I'm sure the thoughts of our community are with everyone that was involved in this accident. Their friends, their loved ones, their family."
He earlier said the area was a major wedding and tourist destination, and the crash would send shockwaves through the broader community.
'Australia wraps its arms around you': PM
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese thanked first responders and those continuing to assist with the tragedy.
"All of us know the joy of going to a wedding, a chance to celebrate dear friends and family. They are some of the happiest times that you can have," he said at a press conference.
"For a joyous day like that in a beautiful place, to end with such terrible loss of life and injury is so cruel and so sad and so unfair. People hire a bus for weddings in order to keep their guests safe.
"That adds to the "unimaginable nature of this tragedy, " he said.
"All Australians' thoughts go out to the family, friends, and loved ones of those we lost in such horrific circumstances. Australia wraps its arms around you."
What have witnesses said about the Hunter Valley crash?
A senior NSW Ambulance officer told Seven News the magnitude of the accident had been confronting for first responders.
"Whilst they are paramedics every day of their lives, something like this is not a job that they go to every day," she said.
"I'm incredibly proud of all the paramedics that attended. They did a fantastic job under the circumstances, and no doubt they will be reflecting, and we will have the right support there for them."
A guest described shock about what happened on the bus to Nine News outside John Hunter Hospital.
"It was a nice day, a pretty good wedding ... fairytale stuff really, it was a nice day ... and we got the news that there had been a crash, and we all started panicking," he said.
Wandin Valley Estate, the venue where the wedding was held on Sunday, released a statement saying they were "deeply saddened to hear of the bus crash that has claimed the lives of some of our guests".
"Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of the victims, and we are supporting them in any way we can."
The blocked road at Wine Country Drive, Greta, which leads to the scene of the crash. Source: AAP / Darren Pateman
Motorists are being advised they can divert around the closure via Bridge Street, Drinan Street, Clift Street and the New England Highway.
The northbound and southbound off-ramps from the Hunter Expressway to Wine Country Drive are also closed, although through lanes are not affected.
Due to the nature of the crash, the NSW Transport Management Centre says there is no forecast for how long the road will be closed.
