Greta bus crash driver jailed for decades for killing 10, injuring 25

By Anna Falkenmire

September 11 2024 - 3:08pm

• Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this story may contain images of deceased persons.

📷 A sketch of Brett Button giving evidence in Newcastle District Court on September 11. Artwork by Rocco Fazzari

THE DRIVER who killed 10 people in a wedding bus crash at Greta last year has been jailed for more than 30 years.

Brett Andrew Button, 59, fronted a harrowing three-day sentencing hearing in Newcastle District Court this week.

Judge Roy Ellis on Wednesday sentenced Button to 32 years behind bars, with 24 years without parole.

Button has been waiting to find out his fate in custody since he struck a deal in May which saw him plead guilty to 10 counts of dangerous driving occasioning death.

He was also sentenced for nine counts of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, and 16 counts of driving furiously causing bodily harm.

With time served, Button will be eligible for release in May, 2048. His sentence will expire in 2056.

He was disqualified from driving for several years upon his release.

Button was behind the wheel of a charter coach transporting 35 wedding guests from a Hunter Valley estate to the newlywed couple’s hometown of Singleton when it rolled on a Wine Country Drive roundabout at about 11.30pm on June 11, 2023.

His driving was impaired by the opioid prescription painkillers he was dependent on, he was going too fast, showing off and ignoring pleas from passengers to slow down before tragedy struck.

📷 Brett Andrew Button, 59, is facing a three-day sentence hearing in Newcastle District Court on September 10. Picture by Marina Neil

During the sentencing hearing on Monday and Tuesday, one by one, more than 40 grieving family members, survivors and the injured tried to put into words the gravity of their losses in powerful victim impact statements.

Husband and wife Andrew and Lynan Scott, Singleton doctor Rebecca Mullen, Angus Craig, Darcy Bulman, mother and daughter Nadene and Kyah McBride, Kane Symons, Zach Bray and AFL Roosterettes captain Tori Cowburn died in the crash.

📷 Tributes at the crash site at the Wine Country roundabout on June 11, 2024. Picture by Simone de Peak

On Wednesday morning, Button was moved from his glass cage to the witness box to give evidence, his hands and voice shaking as he expressed his deep sorrow at the tragedy and his actions.

“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?” he said through tears.

“I live with this every day, and I hate myself.”

He was questioned and cross-examined on whether he thought he knew better than his doctors about his Tramadol use, and why he was speeding and taking risks.

More to come.

• Support is available for those who may be distressed. Phone Lifeline 13 11 14; MensLine 1300 789 978; Kids Helpline 1800 551 800; beyondblue 1300 224 636; 1800-RESPECT 1800 737 732.