The Cessnock local – who was recently diagnosed with motor neurone disease – was trapped for almost an hour before he was freed and airlifted to John Hunter Hospital.<\/p>\n
A second man was also airlifted to the Newcastle hospital.<\/p>\n
Four other men on board, including the driver, were taken to hospital in a stable condition, suffering minor injuries.<\/p>\n
On Friday, Mr Barrett’s bride-to-be Michelle Murphy and his three adult daughters released a joint statement to give worried well-wishers a vital update.\u00a0<\/p>\n
‘We want to reassure everyone that all individuals involved in the crash – including Dad – are okay,’ it said.<\/p>\n
‘While they have sustained various injuries, three have been discharged and are recovering at home, and the remaining members of the party are now in a general ward together.\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"John](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/100834137-14961447-John_Barrett_pictured_with_his_three_of_his_daughters_remains_in-m-4_175402776557.jpeg\")
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John Barrett (pictured with three of his daughters) remains in hospital\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"John](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/100794187-14961447-John_Barrett_was_hours_away_from_marrying_his_partner_Michelle_M-a-2_175402748670.jpeg\")
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John Barrett was hours away from marrying his partner Michelle Murphy on Wednesday when the minibus he was travelling in lost control\u00a0<\/p>\n
‘They are in good spirits and are supporting each other through recovery.’<\/p>\n
The family stressed that they had no ill will towards the minibus driver, 73, and asked for the negative comments about him to stop.<\/p>\n
‘He is a father and husband who, like the rest of us, has been through a traumatic event,’ they said.<\/p>\n
They also paid tribute to the first people on the crash scene who climbed 40m down the embankment to rescue those in the wreckage.<\/p>\n
‘We would also like to extend a special thank you to a few incredible individuals who climbed down and assisted the boys before and during the rescue operations,’ the family said.<\/p>\n
‘You know who you are – and we are forever grateful for your courage, kindness and support in such a critical moment.’<\/p>\n
The family were rocked by Mr Barrett’s MND diagnosis, a debilitating disease that robs people of their ability to move, speak and eventually breathe.<\/p>\n
Mr Barrett, known as JB to his mates, vowed to raise funds to help find a cure and set up a Mind My Neurones fundraiser <\/a>to support\u00a0Professor Dominic Rowe and his team at Macquarie University.<\/p>\n Mr Barrett’s family expressed their support for the minibus driver in a joint statement released on Friday. Pictured is the crash scene\u00a0<\/p>\n John Barrett (right) was recently diagnosed with motor neurone disease<\/p>\n ‘For those wishing to support Dad, donations can be made to his fundraiser,’ the family said.<\/p>\n ‘He wouldn’t want money spent on himself – his wish is for contributions to go towards finding a cure for motor neurone disease.’<\/p>\n The family also called for privacy as they focus on supporting one another.\u00a0<\/p>\n Mr Barrett and his groomsmen were minutes away from Bistro Molines at the Tallavera Grove Vineyard, for his midweek marriage to Ms Murphy, three years after the birth of their daughter.<\/p>\n NSW Police are continuing to investigate the cause of the crash.<\/p>\n ‘We’re very fortunate that the injuries weren’t fatal,’ Superintendent Steve Laksa said.<\/p>\n ‘It definitely could’ve been worse.’<\/p>\n The crash comes two years after a bus packed with wedding guests overturned and crashed in nearby Greta, killing ten and injuring another 25<\/a>.<\/p>\n The minibus was being followed by other wedding guests when it lost control and rolled<\/p>\n![\"Mr](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/100794333-14961447-Two_men_including_the_groom_John_Barrett_were_airlifted_to_hospi-a-3_175402755712.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"John](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/100794185-14961447-John_Barrett_right_was_recently_confined_to_a_wheelchair_followi-a-5_175402784791.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/100752235-14961447-The_minibus_was_being_followed_by_other_wedding_guests_when_it_l-a-6_175402790519.jpeg\")
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