The driver who caused one of Australia’s deadliest bus crashes, killing 10 people and injuring 25, has been jailed for 32 years.
Brett Button, 59, was behind the wheel of a coach carrying 35 people from a winery wedding in the NSW Hunter Valley back to their accommodation in Singleton — about a 35-minute trip — when it rolled on Wine Country Dr near the Hunter Expressway off-ramp at Greta, on June 11, 2023.
The 57-seat bus then slammed into a guard rail.
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On Wednesday, Button was sentenced to 32 years in prison with a non-parole period of 24 years.
He will be eligible for parole on May 7, 2048.
Judge Roy Ellis said, after 50 years working in the justice system, he has “never dealt with anywhere near the same extent of extraordinary devastation in a case”.
Ellis found Button failed in his obligation to keep all 35 of his passengers safe and had abandoned his moral responsibility.
Inside Newcastle District Court, victims’ families were heard screaming “yes” and “thank you” after the sentence was handed down.
Earlier in the day, Button made an emotional statement, telling the court he was “ashamed of everything (he’s) caused”.
“I’ve tried to figure out the words to say I’m sorry, but how do you say you’re sorry for such a horrible, tragic event that has ruined the lives of hundreds of people?” he said.
“I can’t … forgive myself … I can’t believe I caused this … I never meant to cause it and I truly wish it never happened.
“I live with this every day and I hate myself … I never meant to hurt anyone in my entire life … and now I’ve committed the ultimate sin.”
Earlier, victims’ family members delivered emotional victim impact statements, telling the court of their grief and trauma.
Graham McBride told how he awoke five days after the crash in a hospital bed with a fractured neck, ribs and arm and numerous cuts.
He had lost his wife Nadene and only daughter Kyah in the crash.
It was earlier heard Button took the roundabout on Wine Country Drive at Greta too fast, telling some passengers “this next part is going to be fun” moments before the fatal smash.
He pleaded guilty to 10 charges of dangerous driving causing death, nine counts of dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm and 16 counts of causing bodily harm by wanton driving.
