'In good spirits': Grooms party rallies around each other through crash recovery

The Advertiser

01-08-2025

THE FAMILY of a groom who was hurt in a wedding van crash in the Hunter Valley has confirmed all passengers are okay, in good spirits and supporting each other through recovery.
John Barrett was on his way to his wedding, with four of his groomsmen, on Wednesday when the taxi they were travelling in rolled down a 40-metre embankment on Mount View Road just after 10.30am.
He lives with motor neurone disease and his family said anyone wishing to support him could make a donation to his fundraiser, Mind My Neurones, with all proceeds going to Professor Dominic Rowe and his team at Macquarie University.
"He wouldn't want any money spent on himself - his wish is for contributions to go towards finding a cure for Motor Neurone Disease," a statement on behalf of the Barrett family said.
The five members of the grooms party, all aged in their 50s, were taken to John Hunter Hospital with various injuries. Two were flown via rescue helicopters.
"While they have sustained various injuries, three have now been discharged and are recovering at home, and the remaining members of the party are now in a general ward together," the statement said.
"They are in good spirits and supporting each other through recovery."
The 73-year-old driver of the taxi van was taken to hospital for treatment and mandatory testing, but has since been released.
"Regarding the driver, we kindly ask for the negative comments to stop. He is a father and a husband, who, like the rest of us, has been through a traumatic event," the family said.
The statement said a lot of the information that had been circulated in the media and social platforms had been incorrect and had caused significant distress to the families involved, friends and loved ones during an already difficult time.
"We kindly ask for privacy as we focus on supporting one another," the family said.
They thanked the people who climbed down to the crash site to help the men before and during the major rescue operation.
"You know who you are - and we are forever grateful for your courage, kindness, and support in such a critical moment," the statement said.
The Herald spoke with groomsman Stephen Leathley, of Newcastle and Hunter Districts Veterans Cricket, on Thursday.
"The first responders were amazing. We are so lucky to have people like that in our region," he said.
He thanked the hospital staff for everything they did for the group.
Specialist police from the Crash Investigation Unit continue to investigate how the Toyota HiAce minibus, with six men on board, veered off the rural dirt roadway and rolled, landing on its wheels. Anyone with information has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Multiple NSW Ambulance paramedic crews, two helicopters, police, firefighters and the Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA) worked together at the scene.
First responders had to reach the patients at the bottom of the embankment, including the groom who is a wheelchair user, and then ferry them out via a stretcher with a wheel to waiting ambulances through "thick shrubbery".
Donate to Mind My Neurones: https://makingadifference.gofundraise.com.au/page/MindMyNeurones
THE FAMILY of a groom who was hurt in a wedding van crash in the Hunter Valley has confirmed all passengers are okay, in good spirits and supporting each other through recovery.
John Barrett was on his way to his wedding, with four of his groomsmen, on Wednesday when the taxi they were travelling in rolled down a 40-metre embankment on Mount View Road just after 10.30am.
He lives with motor neurone disease and his family said anyone wishing to support him could make a donation to his fundraiser, Mind My Neurones, with all proceeds going to Professor Dominic Rowe and his team at Macquarie University.
"He wouldn't want any money spent on himself - his wish is for contributions to go towards finding a cure for Motor Neurone Disease," a statement on behalf of the Barrett family said.
The five members of the grooms party, all aged in their 50s, were taken to John Hunter Hospital with various injuries. Two were flown via rescue helicopters.
"While they have sustained various injuries, three have now been discharged and are recovering at home, and the remaining members of the party are now in a general ward together," the statement said.
"They are in good spirits and supporting each other through recovery."
The 73-year-old driver of the taxi van was taken to hospital for treatment and mandatory testing, but has since been released.
"Regarding the driver, we kindly ask for the negative comments to stop. He is a father and a husband, who, like the rest of us, has been through a traumatic event," the family said.
The statement said a lot of the information that had been circulated in the media and social platforms had been incorrect and had caused significant distress to the families involved, friends and loved ones during an already difficult time.
"We kindly ask for privacy as we focus on supporting one another," the family said.
They thanked the people who climbed down to the crash site to help the men before and during the major rescue operation.
"You know who you are - and we are forever grateful for your courage, kindness, and support in such a critical moment," the statement said.
The Herald spoke with groomsman Stephen Leathley, of Newcastle and Hunter Districts Veterans Cricket, on Thursday.
"The first responders were amazing. We are so lucky to have people like that in our region," he said.
He thanked the hospital staff for everything they did for the group.
Specialist police from the Crash Investigation Unit continue to investigate how the Toyota HiAce minibus, with six men on board, veered off the rural dirt roadway and rolled, landing on its wheels. Anyone with information has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Multiple NSW Ambulance paramedic crews, two helicopters, police, firefighters and the Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA) worked together at the scene.
First responders had to reach the patients at the bottom of the embankment, including the groom who is a wheelchair user, and then ferry them out via a stretcher with a wheel to waiting ambulances through "thick shrubbery".
Donate to Mind My Neurones: https://makingadifference.gofundraise.com.au/page/MindMyNeurones
THE FAMILY of a groom who was hurt in a wedding van crash in the Hunter Valley has confirmed all passengers are okay, in good spirits and supporting each other through recovery.
John Barrett was on his way to his wedding, with four of his groomsmen, on Wednesday when the taxi they were travelling in rolled down a 40-metre embankment on Mount View Road just after 10.30am.
He lives with motor neurone disease and his family said anyone wishing to support him could make a donation to his fundraiser, Mind My Neurones, with all proceeds going to Professor Dominic Rowe and his team at Macquarie University.
"He wouldn't want any money spent on himself - his wish is for contributions to go towards finding a cure for Motor Neurone Disease," a statement on behalf of the Barrett family said.
The five members of the grooms party, all aged in their 50s, were taken to John Hunter Hospital with various injuries. Two were flown via rescue helicopters.
"While they have sustained various injuries, three have now been discharged and are recovering at home, and the remaining members of the party are now in a general ward together," the statement said.
"They are in good spirits and supporting each other through recovery."
The 73-year-old driver of the taxi van was taken to hospital for treatment and mandatory testing, but has since been released.
"Regarding the driver, we kindly ask for the negative comments to stop. He is a father and a husband, who, like the rest of us, has been through a traumatic event," the family said.
The statement said a lot of the information that had been circulated in the media and social platforms had been incorrect and had caused significant distress to the families involved, friends and loved ones during an already difficult time.
"We kindly ask for privacy as we focus on supporting one another," the family said.
They thanked the people who climbed down to the crash site to help the men before and during the major rescue operation.
"You know who you are - and we are forever grateful for your courage, kindness, and support in such a critical moment," the statement said.
The Herald spoke with groomsman Stephen Leathley, of Newcastle and Hunter Districts Veterans Cricket, on Thursday.
"The first responders were amazing. We are so lucky to have people like that in our region," he said.
He thanked the hospital staff for everything they did for the group.
Specialist police from the Crash Investigation Unit continue to investigate how the Toyota HiAce minibus, with six men on board, veered off the rural dirt roadway and rolled, landing on its wheels. Anyone with information has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Multiple NSW Ambulance paramedic crews, two helicopters, police, firefighters and the Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA) worked together at the scene.
First responders had to reach the patients at the bottom of the embankment, including the groom who is a wheelchair user, and then ferry them out via a stretcher with a wheel to waiting ambulances through "thick shrubbery".
Donate to Mind My Neurones: https://makingadifference.gofundraise.com.au/page/MindMyNeurones
THE FAMILY of a groom who was hurt in a wedding van crash in the Hunter Valley has confirmed all passengers are okay, in good spirits and supporting each other through recovery.
John Barrett was on his way to his wedding, with four of his groomsmen, on Wednesday when the taxi they were travelling in rolled down a 40-metre embankment on Mount View Road just after 10.30am.
He lives with motor neurone disease and his family said anyone wishing to support him could make a donation to his fundraiser, Mind My Neurones, with all proceeds going to Professor Dominic Rowe and his team at Macquarie University.
"He wouldn't want any money spent on himself - his wish is for contributions to go towards finding a cure for Motor Neurone Disease," a statement on behalf of the Barrett family said.
The five members of the grooms party, all aged in their 50s, were taken to John Hunter Hospital with various injuries. Two were flown via rescue helicopters.
"While they have sustained various injuries, three have now been discharged and are recovering at home, and the remaining members of the party are now in a general ward together," the statement said.
"They are in good spirits and supporting each other through recovery."
The 73-year-old driver of the taxi van was taken to hospital for treatment and mandatory testing, but has since been released.
"Regarding the driver, we kindly ask for the negative comments to stop. He is a father and a husband, who, like the rest of us, has been through a traumatic event," the family said.
The statement said a lot of the information that had been circulated in the media and social platforms had been incorrect and had caused significant distress to the families involved, friends and loved ones during an already difficult time.
"We kindly ask for privacy as we focus on supporting one another," the family said.
They thanked the people who climbed down to the crash site to help the men before and during the major rescue operation.
"You know who you are - and we are forever grateful for your courage, kindness, and support in such a critical moment," the statement said.
The Herald spoke with groomsman Stephen Leathley, of Newcastle and Hunter Districts Veterans Cricket, on Thursday.
"The first responders were amazing. We are so lucky to have people like that in our region," he said.
He thanked the hospital staff for everything they did for the group.
Specialist police from the Crash Investigation Unit continue to investigate how the Toyota HiAce minibus, with six men on board, veered off the rural dirt roadway and rolled, landing on its wheels. Anyone with information has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Multiple NSW Ambulance paramedic crews, two helicopters, police, firefighters and the Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA) worked together at the scene.
First responders had to reach the patients at the bottom of the embankment, including the groom who is a wheelchair user, and then ferry them out via a stretcher with a wheel to waiting ambulances through "thick shrubbery".
Donate to Mind My Neurones: https://makingadifference.gofundraise.com.au/page/MindMyNeurones