Police said 10 people have died and 11 others were taken to hospital. Photo: 123rf
Ten people have died and multiple others have been injured in a bus crash in the NSW Hunter Valley.
Emergency services were called to Wine Country Drive at Greta just after 11.30pm on Sunday.
The party is believed to be travelling from a wedding.
"We're still waiting for further details to come to light as the investigations continue. We don't know the circumstances around the crash at the moment," Cessnock mayor Jay Suvaal said to ABC News Breakfast on Monday.
"But it does appear it was a wedding chartered bus that had been coming from a wedding earlier that day."
The coach rolled on a roundabout near the Hunter Expressway, said police.
Police said 10 people have died but the toll could rise, with 11 others taken to John Hunter and Maitland hospitals and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney.
The other 18 passengers were uninjured.
The bus driver - a 58-year-old man - was taken to hospital under police guard for mandatory assessment.
A crime scene has been established and an investigation into the cause of the crash is underway.
The large-scale emergency response team will involve police, traffic and highway patrol, paramedics, fire and rescue personnel and helicopters for hospital transports.
Suvaal explained the accident took place off the major highway near Greta and Branxton.
The region is a popular wedding and events destination.
"I'm unfortunately in the same situation as many people waking up to this horrific news," he said to ABC Radio National.
"It is a small community out there, but truly tragic events that I'm sure the community there will be waking up to the shock of it all today."
Suvaal expressed gratitude to the first responders on the scene, including assistance from Cessnock, Singleton and Maitland.
"I would like to pass on my sympathies and thoughts to the families and friends of those people involved."
He said the local council will be offering support to emergency services and police throughout the day.
Wine Country Drive was closed in both directions in Branxton, between the New England Highway and Bridge Street.
Motorists were advised to avoid the area and use an alternative route.
Live Traffic NSW said there was no access to Wine Country Drive from the Hunter Expressway.
- ABC
