It’s the tragedy, which rocked the Hunter Valley to its core earlier this year.
Just after 11.30pm on Sunday 11 June, 10 people – Nadene and Kyah McBride, Andrew and Lynan Scott, Kane Symons, Rebecca Mullen, Darcy Bulman, Zach Bray, Tori Cowburn and Angus Craig – were killed when the bus they were travelling in rolled at the roundabout on Wine Country Drive, near the Hunter Expressway off ramp, at Greta.
A further 30 people suffered extensive injuries.
Immediately following the devastating incident, Minister for Transport Jo Haylen instructed a team to examine the safety and regulatory arrangements of bus and coach operations in NSW.
Now, four months later, the NSW Government will implement all five recommendations from the Bus Industry Taskforce First Safety Report.
The initial findings – released on Friday 13 October – address several key areas, including a new safety campaign to promote seatbelt usage and possible speed restriction mandates for school buses, as well as addressing risks for passengers standing on buses, travelling in speed zones over 80 km/h.
The proposals comprise:
- That the NSW Government and Transport for NSW complete the current implementation of the NSW Rural and Regional Seatbelts Program as soon as possible
- That a road safety campaign be implemented to promote compliance with seatbelt laws on buses, including by school children
- That Transport for NSW consider how bus operators can be best assisted to comply with their obligation to inform passengers about the mandatory use of seatbelts. This could include additional guidance material, or regulatory or contractual amendments
- That Transport for NSW conducts a thorough examination of the risks associated with standees on buses and explores potential risk mitigation approaches
- That Transport for NSW consider whether the 80km/h rule for dedicated school bus services with standing passengers could be rolled out across all services and examine ways of reducing risks for standees on buses travelling over 80 km/h
“So many people from our communities (Cessnock and Singleton) have been affected by this tragedy,” Cessnock City mayor Jay Suvaal said.
“The support shown for the families and victims, not just from locals but all around the nation, was greatly appreciated.
“So, I welcome the news that the government will put into action the recommendations from the taskforce… it’s a positive step.
“I would hate to see another community endure the same thing in the future.”
Cessnock City and Singleton councils are staging a Memorial Service at the Singleton Showground on Saturday 21 October from 11am.
The ceremony will give everyone an opportunity to grieve and pay tribute to those affected by the catastrophe.
“The support that continues to be provided to our community since this tragedy has been overwhelming,” Singleton mayor Sue Moore said.
“Many people’s lives have been affected and it’s important that we stay strong.
“The memorial will be a chance for our tight-knit community to rally together and remember all those lost in the accident and support each other.
“While it’s good to see something positive, following the release of the Bus Industry Taskforce First Safety Report, there is still work to be done when it comes to bus safety in NSW.”
Transport for NSW will launch the new safety campaign from this week, aimed at educating passengers about the importance and legal requirements of wearing a seatbelt on a bus where one is available.
In fact, wearing a seatbelt doubles the chance of surviving a crash and reduces the risk of injury.
The campaign will initially appear on buses and coaches to ensure people buckle up when they travel.
“The NSW Government is taking an important step by accepting all five recommendations from the first bus safety report,” Ms Haylen said.
“My heart is with the families and community devastated by this tragedy.
“I’ve spoken to them personally and will continue to let their voices be heard as we work towards a safer future on our roads and public transport.
“I have asked Transport for NSW to ramp up vital work in raising awareness of the importance of seatbelt laws on buses, especially on school buses.
“If there is a seatbelt available on the bus you’re travelling on, you must use it.
“I want to thank the taskforce for leading the first phase of this important ongoing work on examining safety in the bus and coach industry.”
Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison agreed.
“The tragic bus accident in the Hunter Valley, which happened just five minutes from my electorate of Maitland and sadly took the lives of 10 beloved members of our community, touched the lives of people across our nation and triggered an outpouring of grief and trauma,” she said.
“Not since the Clybucca bus accident in 1989 have we seen such a loss of life on our roads in a single incident.
“It strengthened my resolve to do all I can to reduce road trauma.
“The initial Bus Industry Taskforce First Safety Report is just the first step towards this goal.
“I have met with some of the members of those families who tragically lost their lives and given them my commitment to make sure an incident like this never happens again.
“The grief, trauma and regret caused by these tragedies lasts a lifetime.”
Road safety advocate John Gaffney also welcomed the report.
“As someone impacted by the tragic crash in the Hunter and someone passionate about road safety, I support the campaign to raise awareness about seatbelt use on buses,” he said.
“In NSW, each year, on average, 29 drivers and passengers are killed and about 79 seriously injured in crashes when not wearing available seatbelts.
“Many of these deaths and injuries could have been prevented if seatbelts had been worn.”
For more news stories:
- Helicopters join pre-bushfire season prep of Crown land
- Council sets opening date for East Maitland Aquatic Centre
- Golden Highway closed overnight as roundabout works continue
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