The driver responsible for the horrific bus crash that killed 10 passengers and injured 25 others will have to hear the devastating impact the tragedy has had on the families of the victims and survivors.
Brett Button, 59, was behind the wheel of a Linq Buslines bus when it overturned while driving at a roundabout near Greta in the NSW Hunter Valley in June 2023.
He was driving guests from a wedding at the Wandin Valley Estate to nearby Singleton.
In May, Button pleaded guilty to 10 charges of dangerous driving causing death, nine charges of dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm and 16 charges of driving while angry causing bodily harm. He has been in custody ever since.
Button will hear up to 35 victim impact statements from families and relatives when the three-day sentencing hearing begins at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday.
If the testimonies last longer than three days, more time can be made available.
Mr Button’s lawyers had wanted him to appear for the first day of sentencing via audio-visual link from Shortland Correctional Centre in Cessnock.
However, Judge Roy Ellis has ordered Button to appear. In June he told the court: ‘He should have been here’.
Brett Button, 59, is expected to hear 35 victim impact statements from those affected by the fatal bus crash in which he was the driver
Victim statements are expected to take up most of the hearing – before both prosecutors and Button’s defense team present their cases, Newcastle News reported.
A number of witnesses have traveled to out of state to confront Button in court.
A number of statements are expected to be read out via an audio-visual link, which will then be broadcast to Newcastle Court 5.1.
Justice Ellis, one of New South Wales’ most experienced judges, is known for delivering sentences immediately after final arguments.
Those killed in the bus crash were Nadene McBride and her daughter Kyah, 22, Kane Symons, 21, Andrew Scott, 35, and his wife Lynan, 33, and Zach Bray, 29, Angus Craig, 28, Darcy Bulman, 30, Tori Cowburn, 29, and Rebecca Mullen, 26.
Controversially, prosecutors earlier this year dropped the manslaughter charge against Button to secure a guilty plea.
The measure was condemned by a number of families who lost loved ones in the tragedy.
The most serious charges against Button could carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, but by entering a plea so early he qualifies for a 25 percent reduction.
The fatal bus crash on June 11, 2023, killed 10 people (photo) and injured 25 people
Button admitted to being under the influence of an opiate painkiller while driving the bus
The sentence could also take into account the time the suspect has spent in pre-trial detention since he entered his pleas.
Button admitted he was under the influence of the painkiller Tramadol when he was driving the bus and had also boasted shortly before the crash that he could do ‘doughnuts’ with the bus.
Button has never spoken publicly about the crash, but earlier this year he released a statement through his lawyer.
“Not a day goes by that I don’t think about what happened that night,” the statement said.
‘Not an hour goes by that I don’t think of the families affected by the crash,’
‘I really sympathize with everyone involved, including the emergency services.
‘I am devastated by what has happened and I am truly and deeply sorry.