Mitchell Gaffney and Madeleine Edsell. Image via (madeleineedsell)/ Instagram.
- Newlyweds whose wedding ended in a tragic bus crash have spoken out.
- The bus left 10 people dead and five more injured after leaving the wedding.
- The groom’s father has called for everyone to have access to seatbelts on buses.
Tragic news circulated last week when 10 wedding guests died and 25 were injured in Australia after their bus crashed on their way back from the wedding in Hunter Valley. The couple released a statement, thanking the community for their love and support.
READ MORE | ‘I got to watch my granddaughter get married’: Bride’s 95-year-old grandpa elated to be her flower girl
Mitchell Gaffney and Madeleine Edsell said, “While we appreciate the outpouring of love and support from the community, we ask that the media respect our privacy while we grieve. Our primary focus at this time is processing this tragedy and supporting our family and friends, which is why we’d like to formally decline any requests for media interviews.”
The groom’s parents also added a few words where they urged people to wear seatbelts on buses.
READ MORE | UK woman met her fiancé at her wedding to his friend
“It was a glorious occasion until news of the bus crash with 10 people losing their lives came within a few hours that has shattered many lives. Hopefully something positive can come out of this tragedy. Fifty years ago, the fitting and wearing of seat belts became compulsory in Australia for all occupants of motor cars, saving countless lives since. Whilst my wife and I can’t do this on our own we believe ultimately everyone who rides a bus should have access to seatbelts and be compelled by laws to wear them,” the groom’s father John Gaffney said.
Sources: Lad Bible, New York Post, Insider
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
In times of uncertainty you need journalism you can trust. For 14 free days, you can have access to a world of in-depth analyses, investigative journalism, top opinions and a range of features. Journalism strengthens democracy. Invest in the future today. Thereafter you will be billed R75 per month. You can cancel anytime and if you cancel within 14 days you won’t be billed.