‘Extraordinary devastation’: Hunter bus driver to spend decades in prison

Bus driver Brett Button has been sentenced to more than two decades in prison for the fatal crash that claimed 10 lives and injured 25 people following an idyllic wedding in the NSW Hunter Valley last year.

Hours earlier, he wept in court, telling the families of his dead and injured passengers that he committed “the ultimate sin” when he killed and injured their loved ones while under the influence of prescription painkillers.

Brett Button has broken his silence in court after listening to two days of gut-wrenching testimony from his victims.Credit: Nick Moir

Button, 59, spent two full days in court hearing the gruesome and heartbreaking statements from victims – some of whom want him imprisoned forever or dream of his death in prison.

On Wednesday afternoon, Judge Roy Ellis said Button would serve 32 years in prison, 24 years of those without parole, for the “case of such extraordinary devastation”.

Courtroom sketch of Button giving evidence on Wednesday.Credit: Solomiya Sywak

“[Button] had the obligation to protect the safety of all 35 people on that bus … He failed to meet his responsibility,” Ellis said earlier on Wednesday.

Ellis said Button had “high moral culpability” because he had abandoned his responsibility to keep people safe – but he was clearly remorseful.

“I think he has expressed genuine remorse and contrition,” the judge said.

“I think he has had moments when he has not accepted full responsibility but what he’s said today … shows he has accepted he is the person who is responsible for what we have heard over the past two days.”

Survivors of the crash spoke about the sight of their dead loved ones in the wreckage, of permanent injuries and lifetimes that will be hollowed out by loss.

“Words cannot adequately express the pain, anger, frustration and sadness that permeated the first two days of this sentence procedure, as victim impact statement after victim impact statement was read by, and for, absolutely distraught, depressed and devastated family members … and by surviving passengers”, Ellis said.

Button’s defence team, including his barrister, Paul Rosser, KC, (front left), arrive at Newcastle District Court on Monday. Credit: Dean Sewell

Button was removed from his glass cage in the Newcastle court on Wednesday morning and marched up to the witness box by two sheriffs.

Button’s barrister, Paul Rosser, KC, asked him if he had anything to say after two days of gut-wrenching testimony.

“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?” Button replied in a small, gravelly voice.

“I can’t forgive myself. I can’t believe I caused this. I never meant to cause it.

“And every single person who died and was injured, and everyone involved in this, I truly wish it never happened, and I could apologise where people actually believed me.”

Family members of victims of the Hunter Valley bus crash arrive at court on Wednesday.Credit: Dean Sewell

It was the first time the world had heard Button’s voice since the crash on June 11, 2023.

Button told the court he lives with the tragedy every day and hates himself.

“I never meant to hurt anyone in my entire life, and now I’ve committed the ultimate sin,” he said, in tears.

“I’ve caused parents to have to bury their children which has been my biggest nightmare all my life, and I’ve done it to so many families.”

Button, earlier on Wednesday, admitted he had an opioid dependency and took a large amount of the painkiller Tramadol through the day of the accident.

He was prescribed a 50mg quick-release tablet each morning plus a 150mg slow-release tablet if needed.

He took both pills as prescribed plus an additional 150mg slow-release tablet just hours before the crash.

Ten bus passengers were killed in the Hunter Valley crash.

He admitted he was impaired as a result of the drugs, although he did not believe that when he got behind the wheel.

“I am sorry to everyone involved including the police and everyone, my family, I’ve shamed everyone,” Button said.

Button’s dependency on painkillers had alarmed his employers and doctors in the years leading up to the crash. They worried he was at risk of addiction.

At one stage, he was stood down and entered discussions with an employer to return to work, the court heard on Wednesday.

He then started at Linq Buslines, which has no record of him divulging his Tramadol problems, and later crashed a Linq bus on the way home from the wedding.

Under cross-examination by prosecutors, Button said he “never felt impaired” by Tramadol, although others said he was showing signs.

“I wouldn’t have taken it if I thought it was a risk to my driving ability,” he told the judge.

Some of the most powerful impact statements were read by the family of Nadene and Kyah McBride, a mother and daughter who died in the crash.

Outside court following the verdict, Nadene’s sister Leoni Bowey and her daughter Ameliah thanked the emergency services, the prosecutors and Ellis for all they had done.

“Addiction is a disease but, no matter what, he was still responsible for all those lives,” Ameliah said.

“I want them to be remembered as fun and outgoing and lovable people they were.”

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