Fifth Man Charged Over Alleged Kidnapping At Rutherford

BY JORDAN REGNIS

Police have charged a fifth man over his alleged involvement in the kidnapping of a man at Rutherford earlier this year.

On February 28, police located a 38-year-old man near Greta suffering serious injuries.

He was treated by paramedics before being taken to Maitland Hospital for the treatment of facial injuries, bruising, lacerations, and a stab wound to his leg.

Police allege that the man was forced into a vehicle in the Rutherford area on February 27, before he was taken to a premises in Metford where he was allegedly drugged and assaulted, before later being released.

Following extensive inquiries three men - aged 26, 35 and 53 - were charged over their alleged involvement and remain before the courts.

A fourth man, aged 32, was also charged; however, no longer remains before the courts.

Following further inquiries by police, a fifth man was arrested on Main Road, Cardiff, about 3.40pm yesterday.

The 29-year-old was taken to Belmont Police Station where he was charged with kidnap in company with intent.

He remains behind bars after being refused bail during his appearance in Belmont Local Court today.

                                           

CCTV footage released earlier this year as part of a public appeal for information. Picture supplied by NSW Police

Picture supplied by NSW Police

Statewide Firearm Blitz Sees Two Men Arrested In The Hunter

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police have raided several properties across the Hunter, seizing 80 firearms and 30,000 rounds of ammunition as part of a coordinated operation across the state.

Operation Pendula involving the Raptor squad, focused on people with links to organised crime or outlaw motorcycle gangs.

Officers swooped on properties at West Wallsend, Mount Hutton and Greta as part of the statewide crackdown, revoking nine firearm licences and suspending five others.

A 50-year-old man from Greta has been charged after police allegedly located a firearm with a silencer attached to it - he's due to face Belmont Court on November 8.

A 34-year-old Mount Hutton man will face Cessnock court on November 8 after police say a slingshot was found on his property - he's also been charged with not keeping a firearm safely.

Some of the haul of firearms and ammunition seized during raids across NSW

Public Memorial Service To Be Held In Honour Of Greta Bus Crash Victims

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The state government, in partnership with the Cessnock and Singleton Councils, will hold a public memorial service next month to honour those who lost their lives in the Hunter Valley bus tragedy. 

10 people were killed in the June 11 crash and another 25 were injured.

The memorial will be held at the Singleton Showground on Saturday the 21st of October, from 11:00am.  

A ticket is not required to attend, and the event will be live streamed on the NSW Government website. 

All Hunter residents are invited to attend the service, which is expected to be an important part of a long healing process. 

The government also announced today, the official fundraiser set up by Rotary to support the families of those killed in the crash was closed yesterday, and raised almost $1.5 million.  

Image: Newcastle Herald

One Day Left To Sign Bus Safety Petition

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The families of those killed in the Greta wedding bus crash are asking locals to sign a petition, calling for all buses in Australia to be fitted with seatbelts. 

The petition, launched by the Stop Bus Tragedies Taskforce, has so far garnered more than 6,300 signatures. 

It closes on Thursday the 31st of August, 2023 at 11:59pm. 

The Taskforce has also developed a seven-point plan to improve bus safety across the country, and is in discussion with both the state government, and the Federal Transport Minister. 

A link to the petition can be found on the Stop Bus Tragedies Facebook page. 

Father Of Greta Bus Crash Victim Launches Legal Action Against Linq Buslines

BY OLIVIA DILLON

A man who lost his son in the Hunter Valley bus crash is launching a legal fight against the bus company which owned the vehicle at the heart of the tragedy.

Ten wedding guests were killed and 25 were injured in the disastrous incident at Greta on the 11th of June.

Adam Bray, whose son Zac was killed in the rollover, has now met with lawyers and is launching a class action against Linq Buslines.

He claims the operator failed to meet its obligations under the chain of responsibility laws for heavy vehicle operators.

He's also launched a petition to have a bus safety campaign heard in Parliament.

The driver of the bus, Brett Button, remains before the courts and is facing 62 charges.

Image: Sydney Morning Herald

Greta Bus Driver Facing Additional Charges

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Dozens more charges have been laid against the driver behind the wheel during the Greta wedding bus tragedy.

Prosecutors have revealed 58-year-old Brett Andrew Button will face 63 charges when he appears in Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday.

He's already charged with 10 counts of dangerous driving occasioning death, as well as a back-up charge of negligent driving.

He'll now also face an added 9 counts of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm.

Police and prosecutors have also charged him with 25 counts of misconduct while in charge of a motor vehicle, in relation to the 25 injured survivors of the crash. 

 

Image: Newcastle Herald

 

Hunter Valley Bus Crash Driver's Records Sought By Prosecutors

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Prosecutors have been granted access to the employment and medical records of the driver of the bus which crashed in Greta last month, killing 10 people. 

58-year-old Brett Andrew Button is charged with 10 counts of dangerous driving occasioning death and was granted strict conditional bail on the 13th of June. 

He has not yet entered pleas. 

The Newcastle Herald reports Mr. Button's next appearance in Newcastle Local Court on the 9th of August will likely determine whether the brief of evidence has been filed. 

Image: Newcastle Herald

Vigil to Take Place Tonight at Branxton After Greta Bus Tragedy

BY JACQUELYN RICHARDS

Members of a heartbroken Hunter community will gather in Branxton tonight for a vigil in honor of the victims and emergency service workers involved in the horrific bus crash at Greta last Sunday. 

Ten lives were claimed in the tragedy and thirteen people remain in hospitals across the Hunter and Sydney. 

Federal Member for Hunter Dan Repacholi says the event is important for those who wish to pay their respects and thank everyone involved in recovery and support efforts. 

"It is an absolute tragedy for the community, and not only the community of the Hunter but a tragedy for Australia," he said. 

"It certainly is important to thank everybody involved in this and whilst we are mourning with this tragic loss, they do an amazing job the first responders and anyone in the services area do amazing things and keep people safe and secure."

The vigil will start at 5:30pm on the grassed area in front of Huntlee's Early Learning Centre on Wine Country Drive.

Community crisis centres are still running at the Singleton Youth Venue and Branxton Community Hall for those in need of disaster relief and counselling.  

Lifeline is also available for support via the crisis support line: 13 11 14. 

 

Sourced: Newcastle Herald website

NSW Premier Announces $100,000 in Funding Support for Families of the Greta Bus Crash Victims

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The state government is donating $100,000 to help people affected by the Greta bus crash. 

The injection will provide benevolent relief and support to survivors, victims, and their immediate families. 

A fundraiser set up by the Singleton Roosters AFL Club in support of affected locals has so far raised more than $120,000. 

Visiting the Hunter today, NSW Premier Chris Minns said the funds from the government will be put into a Rotary Australia-led fund which will support those in the community who have been directly impacted by the tragedy. 

"We will leave it up to Rotary and their governance process to distribute the funds, but we anticipate they will be used for funeral expenses for those who have passed," Mr. Minns said.  

Rotary expects the fund will raise more than $1 million in total. 

The Premier also took the time to thank emergency service staff and the Australian public for their outpouring of support for the Hunter community, and gave an update on those victims still in hospital. 

At this stage nine patients are in a stable condition at the John Hunter Hospital, two are in a stable condition at Singleton Hospital, and two are in a stable condition at the Royal Prince Albert in Sydney. 

Image: Newcastle Herald

Missing Greta man last seen in Sydney's west

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a 53-year-old Greta resident missing from Sydney’s west. 

Samantha De Silva was last seen at St Marys about 6pm on Tuesday 20 December 2022.

After family members could not get in touch with him, officers were notified and commenced inquiries to locate him. 

Family and police hold serious concerns for his welfare. 

Samantha is described as being of Indian Sub-Continental appearance, 180 to 185cm tall, of medium to large build, with black hair and dark brown eyes. 

He is known to reside in Greta, but also frequents Blacktown, Woodcroft, and Blackett areas. 

Officers believe he may be traveling to Canberra via train. 

Anyone with information about Samantha’s whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

UPDATE: Woman flown to Royal North Shore after Greta incident

BY DAKOTA TAIT and IAN CROUCH

A woman has suffered serious burns after cleaning products she was using exploded at Greta.

The 51-year-old was cleaning a car with solvents in Nelson Street yesterday afternoon when they ignited.

She suffered serious burns to her chest, upper body and hands and was flown to Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital for specialist treatment.

EARLIER:

There's been an incident on the New England Highway at Greta, heading north, on Thursday afternoon.

It's not a crash, but it's understood a woman is injured.

She's being transported to the Royal North Shore Hospital by the Westpac Helicopter.

More to come.

Man charged after shooting at Greta home

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A man has now been charged after a man was shot in the foot at a Greta home on Tuesday night.

Police arrested the 58-year-old at a home on Anvil Street in Greta on Wednesday morning.

Officers also executed a search warrant and located a number of firearms, a silencer, and a small amount of cannabis.

The man was refused bail to face court today, over charges relating to the shooting, as well as other firearm and drug offences. 

EARLIER.

An investigation has commenced after a man was shot in the foot at a home at a Greta home on Tuesday night. 

Emergency services were called to High Street following reports of a shooting just after 8pm. 

Police have been told a man, aged 38, was shot in the foot during a dispute at the home a short time prior to the arrival of police. 

The man had since been taken to Maitland Hospital for treatment by an associate. 

The injury is not considered life-threatening.

Detectives have established a crime scene which has since undergone forensic examination. 

Inquiries continue.

Teenager Rescued After Cliff Fall At Greta

 BY IAN CROUCH

A teenager has been rescued after falling 15 metres down a cliff at Greta.

The accident happened at the Hunter River Reserve about 4 o'clock on Tuuesday afternoon, with rescue crews arriving to find the boy entangled in a tree and at risk of falling further to the ground.

Paramedics and a doctor were roped down to the youth and he was brought to the top at about 7pm suffering a broken leg.

NSW Ambulance says the difficult and complex rescue was compounded by fading light and the onset of rain.

The boy was taken to the John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition.

Rescue crews carry the injured teen out of the Hunter River Reserve. Photo: NSW Ambulance

New Anvil Creek Bridge Opens in Greta

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Cessnock City Council have announced the official opening of the new Anvil Creek Bridge on Nelson Street in Greta. 

The project has been funded by a $690,800 contribution from the Australian Government under its Bridges Renewal Program, as well as a $1.3 million injection from Cessnock City Council. 

The old structure has now been replaced with a new, 24-metre-long, two-lane concrete bridge. 

200-metres of upgraded pavement on both sides, and a new pedestrian pathway have also been added to allow better access to the Greta Train Station at the western end of Nelson Street. 

Federal Member for Hunter Dan Repacholi, said the project reflects an exciting step forward for the regional community. 

"Nothing is more important than ensuring people get home safe and sound at the end of each road trip, whether it's just a quick run to the local shops or an interstate freight haul," he said. 

"That's why our Government is committed to building a better future for the Hunter Region and for all Australians by delivering infrastructure like this new Anvil Creek Bridge." 

The upgrade comes after safety concerns for the previous single-lane, timber bridge were raised by local residents. 

Cessnock City Council Mayor Jay Suvaal, hopes the bridge will prove to be an important asset for Greta, both in terms of transport and safety. 

"The new Anvil Creek Bridge has a life expectancy of 100 years and has removed all the safety risks that were associated with the old timber bridge, which is just fantastic," Mayor Suvaal said. 

"With an increased clearance above the Anvil Creek waterway, the new bridge will also decrease the prevalence of flooding upstream and allow a less restricted flow of water downstream." 

The new Anvil Creek Bridge in Greta is officially open. 

Man freed by emergency crews after being trapped by excavator at Greta

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A man has been freed by emergency crews at Greta earlier this week, after he was trapped by an excavator.

The man was working with the excavator at a home in Guy Close around 1:45pm on Tuesday afternoon, when it moved and struck him against a retaining wall, the tracks trapping him by the leg.

A team of Fire and Rescue, Rural Fire Service, and paramedics arrived at the scene and stabilised the man.

The emergency crews used an off-duty firefighter's four-wheel drive as an anchor point, while they raised the posi-track using a pair of hand winches and the 4x4 winch.

The man was safely extricated and taken to hospital.

BREAKING! Crews Battling House Fires At Greta and Seaham

 BY IAN CROUCH

Fire has engulfed a home at Greta this morning.

Fire crews from Branxton and Rutherford were called to the single level weatherboard cottage on Hunter Street just after 4.30am on Thursday to find the house fully involved in flames.

Two occupants managed to self-evacuate without incident.

Meanwhile, fire has destroyed a garage at Seaham overnight.

Six RFS crews and Morpeth Fire and Rescue were called to a property on Clarence Town at about 1.45am on Thursday.

Newcastle Fire Command says a boat inside the garage has been destroyed and no-one's been injured.

The house in Hunter Street Greta was destroyed in the fire Picture: Fire & Rescue NSW