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A groom has been left fighting for life on his wedding day after a mini-bus full of reception guests plunged off a cliff in the NSW Hunter Valley
The groom, 56, suffered serious limb injuries and was airlifted to hospital with another man, in his 60, who had head injuries and is also in a critical condition following the vehicle crash on Mount View Road at Mount View about 10.30am on Wednesday.
It’s understood at least six people were on board at the time. Two others were flung from the bus, and four patients were transported to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle with minor injuries.
Photos from the scene showed shocked wedding guests, who were following behind the bus when it lost control, watching on as emergency crews treated the injured.
Two emergency CareFlight helicopters were deployed to the scene.
It is understood the guests were headed to Molines Bistro at the Tallavera Grove vineyard and the vehicle rolled several times over the 150m drop after it slipped off the embankment.
‘It’s a tragic situation, they hadn’t actually got to the wedding yet, so they still have a wedding in front of them,’ NSW Police Superintendent Steve Laksa said.
‘We’re very fortunate that the injuries weren’t fatal. It definitely could’ve been worse.’
A minibus with a groom party on board rolled down am embankment in the Hunter Valley
The minibus was being followed by other wedding guests when it lost control and rolled
Four patients have been rushed to hospital, with two in a critical condition
A crime scene has been established.
The minibus driver sustained minor injuries and will undergo mandatory blood and alcohol testing.
Motorists were urged to avoid the area as Mount View Road remained closed for most of Wednesday.
The crash occurred at the turn-off to Carillion Wines and Bistro Molines, according to Live Traffic NSW.
‘This is horrific news and my thoughts are with everyone involved,’ NSW Police Minister and local MP Yasmin Catley said.
‘I want to thank the first responders who are working in challenging conditions to assess and care for the injured.’
Investigators are still determining what caused the crash.
NSW Ambulance Superintendent Jake Broughton-Rouse said paramedics arrived within 15 minutes.
However, it took 45 minutes to free one of the seriously patients from the wreckage.
Many other were thrown from the vehicle and treated in a paddock near grape vines.
Mount View Road is expected to remain closed for some time
The minibus lost control and veered off Mount View Road at Mount View
Dozens of emergency responders remain at the scene
A CareFlight helicopter transported one of the injured patients to hospital
The crash is two years after a bus packed with wedding guests overturned and crashed in nearby Greta, killing 10 and injuring another 25.
Bus driver Brett Button, 59, was charged with 10 counts of dangerous driving occasioning death and negligent driving.
He was jailed a minimum 24 years over the tragedy.
