Shock decision after horror Hunter Valley bus crash killed 10 wedding guests

The father of a wedding guest killed in a horrific bus crash said he couldn’t sleep after learning manslaughter charges against the driver would be dropped.

A bus driver has pleaded guilty to causing a horrific crash that killed 10 wedding guests and injured 25 others after 10 manslaughter charges were dropped.

Brett Button was taken into custody on remand in Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday after admitting to his role in one of Australia’s deadliest crashes.

The 59-year-old had been transporting 35 wedding guests from a venue in the NSW Hunter Valley when he allegedly lost control of the coach on the night of June 11 last year.

The bus rolled over at a roundabout near Greta, killing 10 people and injuring 25 others.

Mother and daughter Nadene and Kyah McBride, Kyah’s boyfriend Kane Symons, husband and wife Andrew and Lynan Scott, Zach Bray, Angus Craig, Darcy Bulman, Tori Cowburn and Rebecca Mullen all died in the impact.

Brett Button pleaded guilty over the fatal wedding bus crash that killed 10 people in the NSW Hunter Valley. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

Button (second from right) arrived at Newcastle court encircled by family and friends. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

The families of the victims crowded the court on Wednesday and became emotional as the 89 charges against Button were read out.

When the manslaughter charge related to the death of Ms Mullen was dismissed, her father Matt began to sob loudly and visibly reacted.

Outside court, he told reporters he hadn’t slept at all the night before in anticipation of the Crown’s public announcement that it would withdraw the charges.

Despite his pain, Mr Mullen still managed to find compassion for others affected by the fatal crash.

“Our hearts and thoughts go out to the driver’s family,” he said outside court before Button pleaded guilty to the fatal crash.

Rebecca’s mother Leanne said she disapproved of the Crown’s decision, but it was only a small fraction of the pain she felt from her daughter’s loss.

She said she would wait to see what happened at Button’s sentencing.

Button appeared anxious and was flanked by a crowd of supporters when he entered the courthouse wearing a black suit and white shirt worn open without a tie.

Leanne Mullen is the grieving mother of Hunter Valley bus crash victim Rebecca Mullen. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

He had been charged with 89 offences related to the fatal crash, including 10 counts of manslaughter and 10 counts of dangerous driving occasioning death.

However, the manslaughter charges were withdrawn by the Director of Public Prosecutions on Wednesday after Button entered guilty pleas to a raft of lesser charges.

The 59-year-old bowed his head and clasped his hands as he quietly declared he was guilty of 10 charges of dangerous driving occasioning death as part of a plea deal with the Crown.

He also admitted to nine counts of driving dangerously occasioning grievous bodily harm and 16 related charges of driving the bus furiously when it caused bodily harm to his passengers.

In total, the bus driver pleaded guilty to 35 charges related to the fatal crash in the Hunter Valley.

The crash killed 10 people and 11 others were hospitalised. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

He has not entered pleas to 10 counts of negligent driving occasioning death or 10 counts of negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, which will proceed to the NSW District Court as back up charges.

The crown prosecutor withdrew 10 counts of manslaughter and 25 counts of causing bodily harm by misconduct laid against the bus driver.

The announcement elicited an emotional reaction from the families of the victims gathered in the courtroom who could be heard sobbing.

Immediately after the pleas, the Crown prosecutor made an application for Button to be taken into custody on remand to await sentencing.

The detention application was “not resisted” by Button’s lawyer Chris O’Brien, who asked that his client’s medical issues be taken into account during his time behind bars.

Bride and groom Mitchell Gaffney and Madeleine Edsell at a public memorial for those affected by the bus crash.

The bus was transporting guests from the couple’s wedding back to accommodation at the time of the horror crash.

He said Button had a “diagnosis of depression, anxiety, and other things” that required ongoing medication while he was in custody on remand.

Magistrate Caleb Franklin agreed to make an order for Corrective Services to treat his conditions.

“The detention application is granted. Bail is revoked,” he said.

Button was led out of the courtroom by officers.

He will remain behind bars until he fronts the NSW District Court on May 30 to set a date for sentencing.

The deadly crash was Australia’s worst in nearly 30 years, and it sent shockwaves through the tight-knit Hunter Valley community and beyond.

At a previous court appearance, Button 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.”

The bus crash victims had been attending the wedding of Mitchell Gaffney and Madeleine Edsell, who have advocated for increased safety on buses since the tragic incident.

“Hopefully something positive can come out of this tragedy,” Mr Gaffney previously said.

“Whilst my wife and I can’t do this on our own, we believe ultimately everyone who rides a bus should have access to a seatbelt and be compelled by laws to wear them.”