The man responsible for a horrific bus crash that killed 10 people and injured 25 has broken down as he apologised to victims and their families in court.
Bus driver Brett Button, 59, was responsible for safely transporting 35 people from a wedding at a winery 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 entered a roundabout in Greta too quickly, causing one of Australia’s deadliest bus crashes.
After listening to two days of victim impact statements, Button shared his own testimony.
“I’ve been trying to find the words to say I’m sorry, but how do you say you’re sorry for such a horrible and tragic event that has ruined 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 cause this and I really wish it had never happened.
‘I live with this every day and I hate myself… I never wanted to hurt anyone in my entire life… and now I’ve committed the ultimate sin.
‘I have caused parents to have to bury their children… which is my biggest nightmare.
“I hate myself and I want to disappear.”
Bus driver Brett Button (pictured) collapsed while giving evidence about the fatal bus crash in the Hunter Valley
Button admitted in court on Wednesday that he entered a roundabout in Greta too quickly, causing one of Australia’s deadliest bus crashes.
Forensic analysts previously shared with the court their belief that Button took 400mg of the opioid Tramadol in the 24 hours before the fatal crash.
Although Button admitted he had taken “in excess” of the prescribed dose of addictive painkillers, he denied being “negligent” before the crash.
“I take responsibility for the death and injury, it was not intentional and I was not negligent,” he told the court.
“I didn’t do it deliberately.”
Wednesday was the first time Button gave evidence in court after pleading guilty to 19 charges, including dangerous driving occasioning death and grievous bodily harm.
Over the past two days, the court heard testimony from survivors and victims’ families detailing the impact the crash had on their lives.
Among them was Graham McBride, whose wife Nadene and daughter Kyah died in the crash. In an emotional speech, he detailed how his family tree had been savagely “cut down”.
Others were outraged by the bus driver, including Nick Dinakis, partner of victim Darcy Bulman, who told Button he had “killed” her and taken away “her chance to be a mother”.
Survivors of the crash detailed the lifelong consequences of the accident, including chronic ailments. One woman said she now suffered from a permanent head tilt and was unable to eat properly.
Another survivor described the “carnage” that followed the crash, describing Button’s vehicle that day as a “bus from hell” and criticising the “intergenerational trauma” it had caused.
It comes more than a year after the horrific crash that rocked the communities of Hunter Valley and Singleton.
Andrew Scott, 35, and his wife Lynan Scott, 33, Nadene McBride, 52, their 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 he had taken “in excess” of the prescribed dose of addictive painkillers before the crash but denied being “negligent”.
Andrew Scott and his wife Lynan Scott, Nadene McBride, their 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 state’s (and Australia’s) worst fatal road accidents, and at one point Button faced a staggering 89 charges, including 10 counts of manslaughter.
Prosecutors ultimately agreed to a plea deal that resulted in the murder charges being dropped.
Button is in custody awaiting sentencing.