Maddy Edsell and Mitchell Gaffney’s wedding at the Wandin Estate ends in tragedy
Police were at the scene of the fatal bus accident in Hunter Valley on Monday.Credit: Nick Moir
Many of the guests at the wedding, including the groom, were members of the Australian rules team, the Singleton Roosters. The team was told on Monday that several of its members were believed to be among the injured.
Police said first responders were faced with a “confrontational and very traumatic scene” and there is a possibility the death toll will rise.
The president of a Victorian cricket club whose nine members were injured in the crash says the group were “extremely lucky” to survive.
Royce Jaksic, President of Warrandyte Cricket Club, said the group of cricketers and their partners largely “had some minor injuries – a broken jaw, a broken collarbone, things like that”.
“But you know, compared to the ten people who tragically lost their lives, I think we were a blessing in this case,” he said.
“If you do the math, they were very lucky. We’re just crossing our fingers and toes that no one else loses their lives.”
Gaffney played for the cricket club in Melbourne’s leafy north-east suburbs while living in Victoria before moving to the Hunter Valley six years ago. His wife Edsell played netball for Warrandyte, Jaksic said.
“They were faithful representatives of the community,” he said.
“I’m talking to the guys who are up there now, [Gaffney] is a bit of a larrikin and was a very popular part of the cricket club in his day.”
Edsell and Gaffney were contacted 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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