The father of four was rushed to the John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle in a critical condition after he was freed from the wreckage.

His family said that everyone involved in the crash, including Barrett, is “okay”.

“While they have suffered various injuries, three have now been discharged and are recuperating at home, and the remaining party members are now together in a general ward,” they stated.

“They are in good spirits and supporting each other through recovery.”

The driver had some injuries and underwent mandatory blood and alcohol testing.

Barrett’s family asked for any negative comments against the driver to stop.

“He is a father and husband who, like the rest of us, has been through a traumatic event,” they said. 

Barrett was recently diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

He was just hours away from marrying his fiancée, Michelle Murphy.

The pair were regulars at Bistro Molines, where the reception was scheduled to take place that same day.

“It’s a tragic situation; they hadn’t even reached the wedding yet, so they still have a wedding ahead of them,” commented NSW Police Superintendent Steve Laksa on Wednesday.

“We’re very fortunate that the injuries weren’t fatal. It definitely could’ve been worse.”

It is the second wedding bus crash to happen in the region in the past two years.

In June 2023, 10 people were killed and another 25 were injured when a bus carrying wedding guests crashed in the Hunter region.