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National
Rachel Choy

Hunter Valley Bus Driver Sentenced To 32 Years In Jail Over Crash That Killed 10 People

Bus Driver Hunter Valley Brett Button Crash Sentenced

Hunter Valley bus driver Brett Button has just been sentenced to a maximum of 32 years in jail following the tragic crash that killed 10 people and injured 25 others.

On Wednesday, Newcastle district court judge Roy Ellis stated the driver was under the influence of an opioid while driving and engaged in risky behaviour including driving too fast. 

The judge said after listening to 33 victim impact statements during the hearing, it “graphically painted the picture of devastation caused by this offending”. 

The court heard from surviving passengers as well as nine family members of those who tragically died in the June 2023 crash at Greta. 

Hunter Valley Bus Crash
(Image: 9News)

Ellis went on to say that during his tenure of 50 years in the judicial system, including the 21 years he’s spent as a judge, he hadn’t encountered a case that impacted so many people in such a devastating way as this. 

“I reiterate the sentence I impose will not bring back the deceased, the sentence will not heal the physical injuries of survivors or heal the heartache of the families of the 10 deceased victims,” the judge said.

He found Button to have neglected the duty of care he was expected to provide his passengers as their driver. 

“I am satisfied he had abandoned his responsibility to ensure the safety of passengers,” he said.

“As a consequence of the offender’s abandonment of responsibility 10 innocent lives were lost, nine innocent victims suffered grievous bodily harm and 16 innocent victims suffered bodily injury.”

Button has been sentenced to 32 years in jail which includes a non-parole period of 24 years. 

Earlier in the day, the driver said he had taken more of the opioid Tramadol than was prescribed, prior to the crash. 

“I’m ashamed,” he said. “I can’t forgive myself. I can’t believe I caused this. I never meant to cause this. I truly wish it had never happened.”

Brett Button. (Image: Getty Images)

He apologised to the victims and their families, saying he had been using the opioid to manage pain since 1994 but never realised it could impair his driving ability. 

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

“I hate myself. I want to disappear. I’m sorry to everyone involved, I’ve shamed everyone.”

The court heard Button had taken 350mg of Tramadol on the day of the crash though doctors had informed him the maximum dose daily was 200mg. 

The 10 victims who died in the bus crash were Andrew and Lynan Scott, Tori Cowburn, Nadene and Kyah McBride, Rebecca Mullen, Darcy Bulman, Kane Symons, Zach Bray and Angus Craig.

Judge Ellis said he hoped the families and survivors would find some closure with the sentence and expressed his condolences.

Lead image: Getty

The post Hunter Valley Bus Driver Sentenced To 32 Years In Jail Over Crash That Killed 10 People appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .

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