The parents of the groom whose Hunter Valley wedding ended in tragedy when 10 guests died in a bus crash when leaving the event have called for stronger seatbelt laws.
John Gaffney, whose son Mitchell married Madeleine Edsell in wine country on Sunday 11 June, has called for seat belts to be mandatory on all buses – something which is not currently the law in New South Wales.
While it is a requirement for everyone on board a bus fitted with seat belts to wear them, drivers are not legally responsible for ensuring their passengers wear them, and experts have warned enforcement is grey area.
Gaffney has called for stricter policies so that passengers are “compelled by laws to wear them”.
“Hopefully something positive can come out of this tragedy. 50 years ago the fitting and wearing of seat belts became compulsory in Australia for all occupants of motor cars saving countless lives since,” Gaffney said in a post on LinkedIn.
“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.
Gaffney called for assistance by asking people to lobby federal and state MPs on the issue. “If a federal government petition could be set up that would be most appreciated,” he said.
His wife and mother of the groom, Carolyn Gaffney, reportedly echoed the plea on social media.
“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,” she posted on Facebook.
On Monday, Mitchell Gaffney and Edsell released a statement via the premier’s office requesting privacy “while we grieve”.
“While we appreciate the outpouring of love and support from the community…our primary focus at this time is processing this tragedy, and supporting our family and friends,” the couple said in the statement.
Also on Monday, members of the Singleton Roosters Australian rules football club – a team which several of those who died in the crash were involved with – held a press conference to explain members were suffering “unfathomable heartache”.
“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,” president Dylan Hixon said.
“We will lean on each other through this incredible and difficult time with the memory of everyone that has been lost at the forefront of our thoughts.”
“Our first priority and focus is on supporting the families, friends and those from the wider club community who have been affected by this unspeakable tragedy,” he said.
Among the victims were Nadene McBride, who coached the Singleton Roosterettes, her 22-year-old daughter Kyah who played in the team, as well as Kyah’s boyfriend, Kane Symons.
Also killed were Singleton husband and wife Andrew and Lynan Scott who both played for Singleton Roosters teams and left behind two young children.
Tori Cowburn, who also died, was captain of the Roosterettes and worked for mining company Thiess.
Darcy Bulman, a 30-year-old investigator for the Australian Securities and Investments Commission from Melbourne was killed while her partner is believed to be injured.
Rebecca Mullen, a junior doctor and Singleton local working at Calvary Mater Newcastle hospital, was one of the younger victims.
Others who died were Zach Bray, who was working as a mining engineer in the Hunter region and engineer Angus Craig who had worked with mining company BHP in Queensland.
Hunter MP Dan Repacholi said nine victims remained in hospital with two of them in intensive care.
Two community gatherings and memorials have been set up in Singleton and Greta, he said.
New South Wales premier Chris Minns said more than half a million dollars had already been donated to a fund to help victims and their families.
Victorian premier Daniel Andrews announced on Monday that his government will provide up to $580,000 to the family members of Bulman.
Investigations into the crash continue and the bus driver, Brett Button, 58, last week faced Cessnock local court charged with 10 counts of dangerous driving causing death.
