Hunter Valley Bus Driver Appeals 32-Year Sentence Over Fatal Crash

The bus driver sentenced to 32 years in prison for a tragic crash in the Hunter Valley that claimed 10 lives has begun the process of appealing his sentence.

Brett Andrew Button, 59, received the lengthy term with a non-parole period of 24 years on Wednesday after pleading guilty to multiple charges related to the incident.

On 11 June last year, Button was transporting wedding guests from the vineyards of the Hunter Valley back to Singleton when the bus he was driving overturned and struck a guard rail near Greta. The catastrophic accident resulted in the deaths of 10 passengers and left 25 others injured.

Judge Roy Ellis, presiding over the Newcastle District Court, described the case as unprecedented due to the significant loss of life and the number of injuries sustained. He remarked that in his 50 years within the justice system, he had never encountered a case involving such extensive devastation.

On Friday afternoon, the Court of Criminal Appeal confirmed that a notice of intention to appeal had been filed on Button’s behalf. This step indicates his legal team’s plan to challenge the severity of the sentence. Formal documents will be submitted if the decision to proceed with the appeal is confirmed. No dates have been set yet for the appeal proceedings.

During sentencing, the court heard that Button was under the influence of tramadol, an opioid-based painkiller, at the time of the crash. He had reportedly taken significantly more than his prescribed dosage. Evidence also revealed that Button had been using tramadol since the 1990s and had been stood down by a previous employer in 2022 after a pain specialist determined he was addicted to the medication.

Victims’ families and survivors packed the courtroom during the emotional sentencing hearing. Many expressed their grief and anger through impact statements, detailing the profound effects the tragedy has had on their lives.

Addressing the court, Button expressed deep remorse for his actions. “I can’t forgive myself. I can’t believe I caused this,” he said. “I have caused parents to have to bury their children… I hate myself and I want to disappear.”

Despite his expressions of regret, some families of the victims had previously voiced disappointment after manslaughter charges were dropped as part of a plea deal. Button ultimately pleaded guilty to 19 charges, including 10 counts of dangerous driving occasioning death and nine counts of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm.

The lives lost in the crash included Andrew Scott, 35; his wife, Lynan Scott, 33; Nadene McBride, 52; her daughter, Kyah McBride, 22, and Kyah’s partner, Kane Symons, 21; along with Darcy Bulman, 30; Rebecca Mullen, 26; Zachary Bray, 29; Tori Cowburn, 29; and Angus Craig, 28.

Button is currently scheduled to be eligible for parole on 7 May 2048. The community now awaits the outcome of the appeal process, hoping for closure after one of the most devastating incidents in the region’s history.