Bus driver learns fate after Hunter Valley wedding crash killed 10 people

The man behind the wheel of one of Australia's deadliest road disasters will see manslaughter charges dropped.

3 min read

May 8, 2024 - 11:05AM

Driver of horror Hunter Valley bush crash to face court

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The driver of a wedding bus that crashed and killed 10 people in NSW’s Hunter Valley last year has had his most serious charges dropped.

News.com.au reports Brett Andrew Button, 59, reached a plea deal with prosecutors that will see 10 counts of manslaughter dropped in exchange for pleas to other charges such as nine counts of negligent driving occasioning death.

Mr Button was driving a bus of 35 wedding guests from a Hunter Valley venue on June 11 last year when he allegedly lost control of the coach at a roundabout near Great.

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The bus rolled, killing 10 people and injuring the other 25 passengers.

Mr Button will face Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday, where News.com.au reports he is expected to plead guilty to several charges of dangerous driving occasioning death.

In exchange for those pleas, the Director of Public Prosecutions will withdraw 10 counts of manslaughter.

The deal reportedly comes after weeks of negotiations between the DPP and Mr Button’s legal team.

It was one of Australia’s worst ever road accidents. Picture: Christian Gilles/NCA NewsWire

"I feel like they're trying to move things quickly and quietly"

Families of the victims told 7News on Tuesday night that prosecutors had ambushed them with the news just 36 hours before the court hearing.

Matt Mullen, father of Rebecca Mullen, said the families felt “betrayed”. “I begged them and we’re still waiting now in the process, hoping that they will reconsider,” he told the broadcaster.

“I feel disrespected and I feel like they’re trying to move things quickly and quietly,” said Montana Bray, sister of Zachary Bray.

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“Gutless I think is probably the better word,” said victims’ advocate Howard Brown. “The easy way out and negotiate a lesser charge which does not reflect the seriousness of the matter.”

The DPP refused to comment on the report, and instead informed 7News that airing the families grievances may be illegal as it “may be ‘case conference material’, with respect to which there is a statutory prohibition against publication”.

“I’m no legal expert but I know the 10 people that did die on that bus deserve more than this,” Montana Bray said.

Ten people were killed in the Hunter Valley bus crash last year. Picture: Supplied

10 Victims of one of Australia's deadliest road tragedies

Husband and wife Andrew and Lynan Scott, Zachary Bray, Angus Craig, Darcy Bulman, Tori Cowburn, Rebecca Mullen, Kane Symons, and mother and daughter Nadene and Kyah McBride were all killed in the crash.

The group had been attending the wedding of Mitchell Gaffney and Madeleine Edsell. The horrific crash sent shockwaves through the tight-knit Hunter Valley community and beyond.

News.com.au reports Mr Button faced court last month where his lawyer Chris O’Brien asked for an adjournment to obtain expert evidence.

He said the specialist evidence would allow the defence to properly respond to the Crown prosecutor’s opinion so the parties could hold another case conference.

Mr O’Brien said the bus driver would be in a position to enter pleas when he returned to court in May.

“On the next occasion, the parties would anticipate the matter would be ready for committal for trial or committal for sentence,” he said.

Brett Button faced Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday. Picture: NCA NewsWire

"I am devastated by what has occurred"

In a statement read out by his lawyer in March, the 59-year-old said there was “not a day that goes by that I don’t think about what happened that night”.

“There isn’t an hour that goes by where I’m not thinking of the families that have been affected by my actions,” he said.

“I am devastated by what has occurred and I am truly deeply sorry.”

NCA NewsWire reports Button pleaded guilty to 35 charges, while 35 other charges were withdrawn, in court on Wednesday. He did not enter pleas to 20 other charges.

Button's bail was revoked, and he was taken in custody on remand where he will remain until his appearance at the District Court on May 30 to set a sentencing date.