Father of one of the victims of the Hunter Valley bus crash tragedy launches class action
The grieving father of one of the victims of the horrific Hunter Valley bus crash has filed a class action against a government agency that maintains roads.
Adam Bray, father of 29-year-old Zach Bray, who tragically died in the crash, has launched civil proceedings against Transport for NSW, with the case heard in court in Sydney on Friday.
Ten people were killed and 25 others injured when a Linq Buslines bus went through a roundabout near Greta in the NSW Hunter Valley in June 2023.
Mr Bray and others involved in the class action launched civil proceedings in the NSW Supreme Court, claiming Transport for NSW had breached its ‘duty of care’.
Mr Bray and the class action group are seeking compensation for crash survivors who were physically or psychologically injured, and others who suffered ‘mental harm’.
The action revolves around claims where the fatal incident occurred.
One key claim by Mr Bray and the class action group states that the intersection was incorrectly labeled as a ’roundabout’ on road signs, when in fact it was shaped like an oval.
The statement of claim also argues that the lack of safety signage, tall vegetation and the lack of a run-off area or embankment contributed to the crash and its severity.
Adam Bray (pictured right) has launched a class action against Transport for NSW over the 2023 Hunter Valley bus crash. Mr Bray is pictured with his son Zach, who died in the crash
One key claim from Mr Bray and the class action group states that the intersection (pictured) was incorrectly labeled as a ’roundabout’ on road signs when it was ‘elliptically shaped’.
The group says the 50mph speed limit is not appropriate for the junction as there is ‘no other change to the speed limit or advisory speed sign for the junction’.
The class action group claims Transport for NSW’s duty of care was breached.
“The offenses referred to above were such that there was a real and significant risk that a driver of a heavy vehicle… entering the junction and acting with reasonable care… could nevertheless lose control of the vehicle,” the claim said.
On Friday, Transport for NSW lawyer Brian Maroney said it was “highly likely” his client would make his own claim against the bus owner, the ABC reported.
Zach Bray (pictured) was one of 10 people killed when a Linq Buslines bus drove through a roundabout near Greta in the NSW Hunter Valley in June 2023.
The case returns to the NSW Supreme Court on February 7.
In addition to Mr Bray’s son, Zach, others killed in the crash included Nadene McBride and her daughter, Kyah, 22, Kane Symons, 21, Andrew Scott, 35, and his wife, Lynan, 33, Angus Craig, 28, Darcy Bulman. 30, Tori Cowburn, 29, and Rebecca Mullen, 26.
Brett Button, 59, was driving guests from a wedding reception at the Wandin Valley Estate, two hours north of Sydney, back to Singleton overnight in fog when the bus rolled over.
Button was sentenced by Judge Roy Ellis at Newcastle District Court in September to 32 years in prison, with a non-parole period of 24 years.
In sentencing, Judge Ellis said Button was under the influence of the opioid-based painkiller tramadol and had “abandoned his responsibility” to his 35 passengers at the time of the crash.
Last month the NSW Supreme Court confirmed Button’s lawyers plan to appeal the sentence.
Brett Button, 59, was driving guests from a wedding reception at the Wandin Valley Estate, two hours north of Sydney, back to Singleton overnight in fog when the bus rolled