Many guests at the wedding,including the groom,were fellow members of the Singleton Roosters Australian rules team. The team on Monday was told a number of its members were believed to be among the injured.
Police said first responders were greeted with a “confronting and very traumatic scene” and there is a possibility the death toll will increase.
The president of a Victorian cricket club of which nine members were injured in the crash says the group were “extremely lucky” to escape with their lives.
Warrandyte Cricket Club president Royce Jaksic said the group of cricketers and their partners had mostly received “some minor injuries – a broken jaw,a broken collarbone,things like that”.
“But,you know,compared to the 10 people that have tragically lost their lives,I think we’ve been blessed in this one,” he said.
“If you do the math,they’ve been extremely lucky. We’ve just got fingers and toes crossed that no one else loses their lives.”
Gaffney played for the cricket club in Melbourne’s leafy north-eastern suburbs while living in Victoria,before moving to the Hunter Valley six years ago. His wife Edsell played netball for Warrandyte,Jaksic said.
“They’ve been stalwarts of the community,” he said.
“Talking to the guys that are up there now,[Gaffney] is a bit of a larrikin and was a much-loved part of the cricket club during his time.”
Edsell and Gaffney have been approached for comment.
Family and friends of bus passengers have been advised to call Cessnock police station,while anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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