Hunter Valley bus driver Brett Button breaks down in court as he tells families of crash victims he is ‘ashamed of everything he’s caused’

The man responsible for a horrific bus crash that killed 10 people and injured 25 broke down as he apologized to the victims and their families in court.

Bus driver Brett Button, 59, was responsible for safely transporting 35 people from a vineyard wedding to their accommodation in Singleton, in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales, on June 11, 2023.

Instead, Button admitted in court on Wednesday that he drove too fast onto a roundabout in Greta, causing one of Australia’s deadliest bus crashes.

After listening to victim impact statements for two days, Button shared his own testimony.

“I’ve tried to find the words to say I’m sorry, but how do you say you’re sorry for such a terrible, tragic event that has devastated the lives of hundreds of people?” Button told the court.

‘I can’t forgive myself. I can’t believe I caused this. I never meant to do this and I really wish it never happened.

‘I live with this every day and I hate myself… I never intended to hurt anyone in my entire life… and now I have committed the ultimate sin.

‘I’ve made parents bury their children… that’s my worst nightmare.

“I hate myself and I want to disappear.”

Button admitted in court on Wednesday that he drove too fast onto a roundabout in Greta, causing one of Australia’s deadliest bus crashes

Forensic analysts had previously been convinced that Button had taken 400mg of the opioid Tramadol in the 24 hours before the fatal accident.

Button admitted taking “more than” the prescribed dose of the addictive painkillers but denied being “negligent” before the accident.

“I take responsibility for the death and injuries, it was absolutely not intentional and I was not negligent,” he told the court.

“I didn’t do it on purpose.”

Wednesday was Button’s first court appearance after pleading guilty to 19 charges including dangerous driving causing death and grievous bodily harm.

Over the previous two days, the court had heard testimony from survivors and families of victims, who detailed the life-changing impact of the crash.

Among them was Graham McBride, whose wife Nadene and daughter Kyah died in the crash. He described in a heartfelt speech how his family tree had been brutally ‘chopped down’.

Others reacted angrily to the bus driver, including Nick Dinakis, the partner of victim Darcy Bulman, who told Button he had “murdered” her and taken away her “chance to be a mother”.

Survivors of the crash described lifelong effects of the incident, including chronic ailments. One woman said she now had a permanent head tilt and could not eat properly.

Another survivor described the “horror” after the crash, calling Button’s vehicle that day a “bus from hell” and speaking of the “intergenerational trauma” he had caused.

It happened more than a year after the horrific crash hit the communities of Hunter Valley and Singleton.

Andrew Scott, 35, and his wife Lynan Scott, 33, Nadene McBride, 52, daughter Kyah McBride, 22, and her partner, Kane Symons, 21, Darcy Bulman, 30, Rebecca Mullen, 26, Zachary Bray, 29, Tori Cowburn, 29, and Angus Craig, 28, died in the crash.

Button (centre) admitted taking ‘more’ than the prescribed dose of addictive painkillers before the crash but denied being ‘negligent’

Andrew Scott and his wife Lynan Scott, Nadene McBride, her daughter Kyah McBride and her partner Kane Symons, Darcy Bulman, Rebecca Mullen, Zachary Bray, Tori Cowburn and Angus Craig died in the crash

The incident quickly became one of the worst fatal road accidents ever in the state – and in Australia. At one point, Button was facing a staggering 89 charges, including 10 counts of manslaughter.

Ultimately, prosecutors agreed to a plea agreement that dropped the manslaughter charge.

Button is being held in custody until his sentence is announced.