The family of the groom whose special day ended with 10 people killed in the Hunter Valley wedding crash have called for an urgent overhaul of bus safety… ‘so something positive can come out of this tragedy’.
Breaking his silence, the father of Mitchell Gaffney posted on Linkedin about the importance of mandatory seat belts on buses.
’50 years ago the fitting and wearing of seat belts became compulsory in Australia for all occupants of motor cars saving countless lives since,’ John Gaffney wrote.
‘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.’
Meanwhile his son Mitch Gaffney and his new bride Maddy Edsell have issued their first statement in the wake of the tragedy.
The family of wedding couple Mitchell Gaffney and Maddy Edsell (above at their Hunter Valley nuptials) have broken their silence about the tragedy which ‘shattered’ friends and family after the ‘glorious occasion’ of the marriage
Father of the groom John Gaffney, a former Victorian Government road safety and crash analysis specialist, posted on Linkedin about the importance of seatbelts on buses
‘While we appreciate the outpouring of love and support from the community, we ask that the media respect our privacy while we grieve,’ Ms Edsell and Mitch Gaffney said in a statement issued by the NSW Premier’s office on Monday.
‘Our primary focus at this time is processing this tragedy, and supporting our family and friends.’
John Gaffney – Mitch’s dad and a former Victorian Government road safety and crash analysis specialist – said he hoped ‘something positive’ would come from the tragedy.
‘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.
‘If you can assist by lobbying your federal, state and members (about seatbelts) that would be appreciated.’
Separately, Carolyn Gaffney posted on Facebook to the father of one crash survivor that ‘we both have our sons for which we are truly thankful’.
‘But our hearts go out to the families and friends of those grieving and those who have been severely traumatised’.
The appeal was for donations to a GoFundMe by the Warrandyte Cricket Club to support families and victims who still have weeks of recovery lying ahead.
Schoolteacher Dylan Burns (above) was critically injured in the accident and spent six days in ICU being treated for internal injuries
The bridegroom’s mother, Carolyn Gaffney, posted on Facebook to the father of a guest critically injured in the crash that their ‘hearts go out’ to the families of victims
In another development Daily Mail Australia understands that Dylan Burns, a schoolteacher, and another guest on the bus, Melbourne real estate agent Nick Dinakis, were ‘hours from death’ when they were admitted to hospital after being extracted from the wreckage of the bus.
Mr Dinakis’ partner, accountancy executive Darcy Bulman, was one of the the people who died in the crash, while Mr Burns’ partner Megan was injured and has since been released from hospital.
They were among 35 passengers travelling on the Linq Buslines coach which crashed when it hit a guard rail on a roundabout at 11.30pm after leaving the wedding reception at Wandin Estate.
It is believed that Dylan Burns’ parents Peter and Maree flew to NSW in the crash aftermath to be with their son as he lay in ICU, and have acted as go-betweens for the families of many of the crash victims whose mobile phones were lost in the crash.
Speaking on KIIS FM’s Kyle and Jackie O show on Monday, NSW Premier Chris Minns said he felt for newlyweds Mitchell Gaffney and Maddy Edsell.
‘I don’t know whether I should say this or not but the young couple that had the wedding, they just did everything right,’ Mr Minns said.
Harrowing new details about the victims of the Hunter Valley bus crash (above) have emerged this week
Real estate agent Nick Dinakis, whose partner Darcy Bulman (above, the couple together) died in the crash was ‘hours from death’ but pulled through
‘I mean they put a bus on, encouraged their guests to jump on the bus, to not drink and drive, to not even contemplate jumping in their car, so I really feel for them as well.’
Mr Gaffney’s Linkedin post attracted condolences from others who wrote posts including ‘sorry to hear of this tragic and terrible event which has impacted you and your family’ and ‘so deeply sorry to hear of your close connection to this preventable crash, and our thoughts and love are with you and your family, and the many, many others who are impacted’.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said he felt for Mitch Gaffney and Maddy Edsell, saying the wedding couple ‘did everything right’
The Warrandyte Cricket Club had 13 players, partners or family members injured in the crash, with their freshly-elected president Luke Warren, and his parents Jenny and Greg, all injured.
Greg Warren has been released from hospital. Jenny Warren, who has spinal injuries, and Dylan Burns and Nick Dinakis are among seven patients remaining in John Hunter Hospital,
Warrandyte Third XI captain Brandon Stafford has been transferred from Newcastle to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney.
Warrandyte Cricket Club Treasurer David Molyneux that as a club ‘our heart broke for Mitch and Maddy. We are aware they are supporting all the victims of this tragedy and we hope they can move forward in their recovery’.
Mr Molyneux spoke publicly on Monday to encourage the Victorian State Government to donate money to the families of the victims of the bus crash, as had the NSW Government last week.
He said that of the 13 Warrandyte Cricket Club guests injured in the crash, four players and one partner were still in hospital, and that the club had sent money to get people home and was still ‘very concerned’ about Mr Dinakis in particular.
‘Half the people on the bus were Victorians,’ Mr Molyneux said, ‘we have already made contact with Dan Andrews’ office.’
Bus driver Brett Button, 58, has been charged with ten counts of dangerous driving occasioning death, drive manner dangerous, and negligent driving (occasioning death).