Key Points
- Families, friends, and sporting clubs are paying tribute to 10 victims who died in a bus crash on Sunday night.
- Most of the victims were young, and are being remembered as vibrant people with promising lives ahead of them.
- NSW Premier Chris Minns has announced a $100,000 donation to a fund for survivors, victims and their families.
This article contains references and images of a deceased Indigenous person.
The victims of one of Australia's worst bus crashes are being remembered as vibrant people with promising lives ahead of them as families and communities grieve their loss.
The close-knit Hunter Valley town of Singleton in NSW is reeling after Sunday night's crash which claimed 10 mostly young people, seven of whom were local to the area.
A junior doctor, a husband and wife, and a mother and daughter were among those who died while returning from attending a wedding at the Wandin Estate Winery in Lovedale.
They had links to communities across Australia, but many were also connected to the Singleton Roosters Aussie rules football club.
Kyah and Nadene McBride both died in the Hunter Valley bus crash. Source: Supplied / Facebook
Husband and father Graham "Banger" McBride remains in hospital, coming to terms with his loss.
"There are no words to describe the grief our family is feeling at this time," the McBride family said in a statement.
Kayne Symons is being remembered as a talented athlete and "positive spirit". Source: Supplied / Facebook
"Kane's infectious enthusiasm, positive spirit, and constant encouragement have left an indelible mark on our club, and his loss will be deeply felt by all who had the privilege of knowing him," club president Christine Gaby said in a statement.
Andrew and Lynan Scott both died in the Hunter Valley bus crash and leave behind two young children. Source: Supplied
Tori Cowburn is being remembered as a talented athlete and leader. Source: Supplied
Darcy Bulman travelled from Melbourne to attend the wedding in the Hunter Valley region. Source: Supplied
Her life was also tragically cut short, and her partner is believed to be among the injured.
Rebecca Mullen was a junior doctor who lost her life in the bus crash. Source: Supplied
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said Ms Mullen had a "long and illustrious career in medicine" ahead of her, but she was taken too early.
"This has made a very dark day even darker for NSW Health," Mr Park told reporters on Tuesday.
Zach Bray worked as a mining engineer and was an ambassador for The Gut Foundation. Source: Supplied / Facebook
Originally from Sydney's northern beaches, his father Adam spoke of his pride in his son.
"Zach Bray … (you) have become a giant of a man in every possible way, proud doesn't even come close," he wrote on social media.
Angus Craig was one of 10 victims who died in the Hunter Valley bus crash. Source: Supplied
In tributes on social media, friends described him as a "beautiful person" who had the "whole world ahead of him".
Many in the community came together at a vigil held at the Singleton Baptist Church on Tuesday evening, where people mourned their losses and showed their support.
The owners of local hotels have started offering accommodation to the victims' families, with many needing extended stays in the area.
The bus driver, Brett Andrew Button, 58, faced Cessnock Local Court on Tuesday charged with 10 counts of deadly dangerous driving and was released on bail.
On Wednesday, NSW Premier Chris Minns visited the grieving rural town to lay a wreath and announce a $100,000 donation to a fund for survivors, victims and their immediate families.
A GoFundMe started by the Singleton Roosters club to raise money for the families was capped after raising more than $120,000, with the club saying any further donations should be made through the Rotary website.
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