Greta bus crash driver Brett Button has manslaughter charges dropped, taken into custody
The bus driver who caused the deaths of 10 people in a catastrophic Hunter Valley crash last year has pleaded guilty to 35 charges, after manslaughter charges were dropped.
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The mother of a victim killed in the catastrophic Hunter Valley bus crash says it was “painful” to see a plea deal reached with prosecutors downgrading charges against driver Brett Andrew Button, who was taken back into custody on Wednesday.
Outside Newcastle Local Court, saddened family members of those killed in the Greta bus crash on June 11 last year were devastated by the result, as most declined to comment, saying “not today”.
Ten charges of manslaughter were dropped against Button as Leanne Mullen, the mother of Rebecca Mullen, briefly spoke outside court saying she “disapproved” with the DPP’s decision but that it represented only a small fraction of the pain she felt from her daughter’s loss.
She said she would wait for the result on sentence.
The 59-year-old was behind the wheel when he lost control of the Volvo bus taking wedding guests from Wandin Valley Estate to Singleton in Greta at about 11.30pm.
Ten people were tragically killed and 25 injured in what was one of Australia’s worst road crashes.
Button stood up in-front of numerous family members of those killed in the crash with his head bowed and hands clasped, as he entered guilty pleas to 10 counts of dangerous driving occasioning death; nine counts of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm; and 16 counts of drive furiously in a motor vehicle to cause bodily harm which will be related charges.
Ten charges of negligent driving occasioning death and nine counts of negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm will be backup charges where a plea was not sought.
His guilty pleas came as an exchange for 10 counts of manslaughter being dropped against him.
Twenty-five charges of cause bodily harm by misconduct, in charge of motor vehicle have also been withdrawn.
It followed weeks of negotiations with Button’s legal team led by lawyer Chris O’Brien and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
A detention application was also sought by the DPP and there was “no resistance” from Button’s defence as the 59-year-old had his bail revoked.
Before being led away by officers, the court heard Button had a diagnosis of depression and anxiety and required medical attention on entry into custody where he needed a number of medications.
Magistrate Caleb Franklin endorsed that he receive medical attention and bring with him his medications.
A sentence date will be set for Button at his next court date on May 30.
Husband and wife Andrew and Lynan Scott, mother and daughter Nadene and Kyah McBride, Kyah’s boyfriend Kane Symons, Zach Bray, Angus Craig, Darcy Bulman, Tori Cowburn and Rebecca Mullen were all killed in the tragedy on June 11.
On a previous court appearance Button was surrounded by supporters as a statement from him was read via his lawyer Mr O’Brien telling media he was “truly deeply sorry” for what had happened.
“There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think about what happened that night,” Mr O’Brien read.
“There isn’t an hour that goes by that I’m not thinking of the families that have been affected by the crash.
“Truly for anyone involved including the emergency services, I am devastated by what has occurred and I am truly deeply sorry.”
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Originally published as Greta bus crash driver Brett Button has manslaughter charges dropped, taken into custody
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