‘Too soon’: Tears for bus tragedy victims

The Hunter Valley region was rocked by Australia’s worst road disaster in nearly 30 years when a group of wedding guests died in a crash earlier this year.

Ten people were killed and another 25 were injured when their bus rolled near Greta late on June 11.

Guests were being ferried home following the wedding of Mitch Gaffney and Maddy Edsell when the bus rolled on a roundabout.

Zach Bray, Darcy Bulman, Tori Cowburn, Angus Craig, Nadene and Kyah McBride, Bec Mullen, Andrew Scott, Lynan Scott and Kane Symons all died in the tragedy.

The public memorial was held on Saturday at the Singleton Showgrounds, bringing together the local community, survivors, loved ones of those killed, and emergency service workers.

Darcy Bulman’s father, Warren, described his daughter as having a “generous heart” and being someone who lit up a room when she entered.

“Darcy was an incredible human – a loving partner, a wonderful daughter and sister, a highly-capable woman always ready to give encouragement, a really positive person that you wanted to have around, beautifully open and generous,” he said.

Angus Craig was remembered as a young man with a sense of adventure and care for others.

The family of Bec Mullen thanked first responders and support workers.

“I’d like to take this time to share one piece of advice,” one family member told the service.

“It’s going to be okay, and you are going to be okay. You are going to thrive and give so much to our world. You will live big and love hard.

“You will be overcome with joy and you will not always cry at the sound of my name.”

The family of Kyah and Nadene McBride said their lives had changed and had become “unrecognisable” and described their grief and emotions as “all encompassing”.

Kane Symons’ father told the service that he and his family were still struggling to comprehend the sudden loss.

“Kane, you were taken way too soon, we now have a gaping hole in our hearts which can only be filled by the beautiful memories you gave us along the way,” he said.

NSW Premier Chris Minns paid tribute by those killed and injured, and their families and loved ones.

“You have been through challenges that most of us can’t begin to imagine,” Mr Minns said.

“The tragedy you’ve endured is deeply, deeply personal.

“You need to know it’s touched so many people from this state and right across this country. We are here to offer our condolences – from us to your families.”

The memorial service also included performances by Casey Donovan and country music singer Travis Collins.

Earlier this week, Mr Minns announced that the Hunter Valley Bus Tragedy Fund, administered by Rotary, had raised close to $1.5 million.

The NSW Government donated $100,000, with the funds raised to assist those affected by the horror crash.

Bus driver Brett Button has been charged with 63 offences, including dangerous and negligent driving occasioning bodily harm.

He remains before the court and has not entered pleas.

Originally published as Families’ touching tributes for victims of Hunter Valley bus tragedy