Greta, New South Wales – A bus driver in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales has entered guilty pleas to 35 charges in connection to a fatal crash that claimed the lives of 10 individuals and left 25 others injured. Brett Andrew Button, 59, faced a total of 89 offenses stemming from the tragic incident that occurred in June 2023 following a wedding in the area.
During a court appearance in Newcastle, Button admitted to 10 counts of dangerous driving resulting in death and nine counts of dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm. Additionally, he pleaded guilty to 16 charges related to driving recklessly and causing bodily harm to the survivors. The court decided to withdraw and dismiss 10 charges of manslaughter, as well as 25 charges of bodily harm by misconduct.
The fatal crash happened on June 11 when the bus, transporting wedding guests, overturned on a roundabout near Greta after reportedly losing control. The vehicle skidded along a guardrail, leading to the tragic outcome that deeply impacted families and the community.
Family members of the victims were present in court as Button tearfully acknowledged the charges against him. His bail was revoked, and he was taken into custody immediately following the proceedings. The case is set to be transferred to the District Court, with a scheduled sentence date to be determined later this month.
In response to the court proceedings, Nick Dinakis, who was injured in the crash and lost his partner, Darcy Bulman, expressed satisfaction with the progress made through Button’s guilty plea. He commended the legal process and thanked the Director of Public Prosecutions for their handling of the case.
The Attorney-General, Michael Daley, faced inquiries in the NSW parliament regarding the decision to dismiss manslaughter charges. Daley assured the assembly that he would seek a detailed briefing from the DPP upon the conclusion of the matter to address any concerns about the justice system’s handling of the case.
Throughout the proceedings, the families of the victims and the injured individuals remained emotional, leaving the court without engaging with the media. The DPP’s office expressed sympathy for the families affected by the tragic event, emphasizing that accepting a guilty plea involves intricate evaluations of evidence and legal considerations based on established guidelines.