NSW Health Minister Ryan Park says while frontline workers train for horrific crash scenarios like the one in the Hunter Valley on Sunday that left 10 people dead, those who responded to the incident will need ongoing support.
Key points:
- The NSW government will contribute $100,000 to families affected by the crash, to be distributed by Rotary Australia
- More than $120,000 has also been raised through an online fundraising page set up by the local AFL club
- Drop-in centres offering disaster and mental health support services will be open in Singleton and Branxton today
Mr Park visited the Hunter region this afternoon and met with paramedics, nurses and other frontline health staff who helped on the night of the crash and have been involved in the days since.
"Those people in the hospital … did a phenomenal job, an incredible job dealing with injuries that were catastrophic," he said.
"Yes, they are highly trained, yes they are incredibly professional, yes they practice for these scenarios — but they are still human beings."
Hunter New England Health's acting chief executive Susan Pearce sat down with staff at the Calvary Mater Hospital where one of the victims — junior doctor Rebecca Mullen — worked.
"They're feeling very raw — so it will take them some time to recover," she said.
Mr Park said support and assistance would be available to the community and healthcare workers for as long as needed.
"We know that with trauma like this, it's often in the weeks and months ahead, not necessarily the days [afterwards] where people need the most support," he said.
"We've got to make sure when the cameras go and the lights and sirens stop that support remains in the community."
The 10 people who died were among 36 passengers on their way back to Singleton from a wedding at Wandin Estate Winery, when the coach overturned near the Hunter Expressway off-ramp at Greta.
The driver, 58-year-old Brett Andrew Button, has been charged with 10 counts of dangerous driving occasioning death and one count of negligent driving occasioning death.
Ten other passengers remain in stable conditions in three different hospitals across the state.
A mother and daughter, young parents and a junior doctor were among the 10 people who died.
Authorities said seven of those killed were from Singleton.
NSW gov donates $100,000 to support families
The NSW government will contribute $100,000 to a new fund to support families impacted by the bus crash.
NSW Premier Chris Minns made the announcement when he visited the Hunter Valley today.
The fund will be co-managed by the state government and Rotary Australia, providing relief to survivors, victims and their immediate families.
"When tragic events like this occur, it's the Australian way to reach out and support one another," Mr Minns said.
"I know many people are looking at ways to support the families affected by this heartbreaking accident, and I encourage people to donate directly through the website – it's the quickest way to get funds to those who need them most," he said.
It will be left to Rotary to decide how the money is distributed, but it is anticipated it will be used for funeral expenses and ongoing support for families and those injured.
President of Rotary Club of Singleton Sunrise Gerard McMillan has assured the community the organisation won't be sitting on the money.
"It will be distributed but there will be certain guidelines and set-up so that we can help as many people as we can," he said.
"There are two young children that have lost their parents, they're going to need ongoing support."
Weekend games cancelled
Several people onboard the bus were part of the local Singleton Roosters Australian Football Club.
As a mark of respect, AFL Hunter Central Coast has cancelled all seniors matches this weekend and junior games will be postponed.
"We send our deepest condolences to all those affected in the accident, especially those from the Singleton Roosters," the organisation said.
The annual representative match between AFL Hunter Central Coast and AFL South Coast scheduled to be played in Newcastle on July 1 has also been postponed.
The Singleton Roosters Australian Football Club started a fundraising page to help those affected by the crash.
"Our committee and club members aim to raise as much as we can to help the families with ongoing costs associated with this horrific event," the campaign page said.
The page surpassed its $100,000 donations goal overnight.
Donations to the fundraiser have now been capped, with the club directing people to donate to the fund co-managed by the state government and Rotary.
Drop-in clinics will be open from 9am at the Singleton Youth Venue and from 10am at the Branxton Community Centre.
Both locations will be staffed by disaster response and senior mental health clinicians, along with other services.
The NSW Department of Education said on-site counselling would also be available at two schools affected by the tragedy, and would be extended to other schools as required.
Rural Adversity Mental Health Program coordinator Matt Milne said there would be a wide net of people affected by the tragedy locally, as a region and across the state and nation.
"We're asking people to look out for their friends and family and also put your hand up if you do feel that you need additional support," he said.
"What we want to do is [ensure] that people can get the support that they need early."
Reverend Greg Barker from the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle said while the close-knit nature of the small community meant people would support each other, it also meant many would be directly affected.
"Everyone knows everyone, so those people who were tragically injured or tragically lost their lives, someone will know closely as a friend or member of their family," he said.
"Others will know them as acquaintances, others simply would have known their presence.
"It has ripples in places we're yet even to imagine."
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2023-06-14 10:48:28Z
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