A couple who lost 10 of their wedding guests in a horror bus crash have thanked people for the "outpouring of love and support" after the tragedy.
Mitchell Gaffney and Madeleine Edsell's big day was marred by disaster after a bus carrying their loved ones to the reception in Lovedale, New South Wales, overturned on the motorway.
In their first statement after the crash, they said: “While we appreciate the outpouring of love and support from the community, we ask that the media respect our privacy while we grieve.
“Our primary focus at this time is processing this tragedy, and supporting our family and friends, which is why we’d like to formally decline any requests for media interviews.”
The groom's parents have also broken their silence with social media posts calling for bus seatbelts.
Posting on LinkedIn, Mitchell's father John Gaffney said: “It was a glorious occasion until news of the bus crash with ten people losing their lives came within a few hours that has shattered many lives.
“Hopefully something positive can come out of this tragedy.
“Fifty years ago the fitting and wearing of seat belts became compulsory in Australia for all occupants of motor cars saving countless lives since.
“Whilst my wife and I can’t do this on our own we believe ultimately everyone who rides a bus should have access to a seatbelt and be compelled by laws to wear them.”
He is urging others to lobby lawmakers to demand the change.
Carolyn, John's wife and Mitchell's mother, echoed his calls on Facebook: "So that something ‘good’ can come out of this our family would appreciate if the community would lobby the state and federal governments to ensure that seatbelts are provided in all buses and the wearing of them made compulsory.
“We have the opportunity to change the law and the more support we have the greater the likelihood of change.
“Everyone riding on a bus should have access to a seat belt and be compelled by law to wear it.”
Forty people were riding on the bus when it left the Wandin Valley resort on Sunday June 11.
Among the fatal victims were seven members of a football club - which has also issued a statement asking for privacy.
“The Singleton Roosters Australian Football Club has been devastated by the tragic bus incident in the Hunter Valley,” a spokesperson said.
“Our community has experienced unfathomable heartache, distress, and sadness, after a number of people closely connected to the club were on board and either injured or killed.”
