Newcastle, Australia – A bus driver in the New South Wales Hunter Valley, Brett Andrew Button, has entered guilty pleas to 35 charges related to a fatal crash that occurred in June 2023. The crash resulted in the deaths of 10 individuals and left 25 others injured as they were returning from a wedding. Button, 59, faced a total of 89 charges in connection to the tragic incident that took place in Greta.
During a court hearing in Newcastle, Button admitted to 10 counts of dangerous driving leading to death and nine counts of dangerous driving leading to grievous bodily harm. Additionally, he pleaded guilty to 16 other offenses related to reckless driving and causing harm to survivors. The court disclosed that 10 manslaughter charges were withdrawn, and 25 charges of bodily harm by misconduct were also dropped.
The fatal crash occurred when the bus, transporting 35 passengers from a wedding venue, overturned on a roundabout near Greta. Button allegedly lost control of the vehicle, causing it to roll and skid along a guard rail. The victims’ families were present in court to witness Button’s emotional response as he pleaded guilty to the charges against him.
Following the guilty pleas, Button’s bail was revoked, and he was taken into custody. The case is set to be mentioned in the District Court later this month to determine a sentencing date. Survivors of the crash and families of the victims expressed mixed emotions as they left the courtroom, choosing not to engage with the media.
In response to the dismissal of the manslaughter charges, Attorney-General Michael Daley expressed his intention to seek a comprehensive briefing from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) once the case concludes. Daley emphasized the importance of ensuring families and victims are not dissatisfied or re-traumatized by the criminal justice system.
The DPP expressed sympathy for the families of the deceased and injured individuals, noting that decisions to accept guilty pleas are made after careful consideration of the evidence and in accordance with prosecution guidelines. The case has garnered significant attention, with the community eager to see justice served for the victims and their loved ones.