The driver responsible for one of Australia’s deadliest road tragedies, Brett Button, has been sentenced to 32 years in prison following a wedding bus crash that claimed the lives of 10 people and injured 25 others.
The crash, which took place on 11 June 2023, occurred in the Hunter Valley wine region in New South Wales.
Button, 59, was found to be driving too fast while under the influence of a prescription opioid, Tramadol, used to manage his chronic pain. The drug, known for causing drowsiness and impaired vision, left Button unaware of his impairment at the time. Despite initial manslaughter charges, Button pleaded guilty to multiple dangerous driving offences in a prosecution deal.
Survivors and loved ones of those who died attended Button’s sentencing, expressing their grief and pain. In an emotional courtroom, many sobbed and embraced as the judge ruled that Button would not be eligible for parole until May 2048.
Button had reportedly taken a large dose of Tramadol before driving the bus, but passengers had noted his erratic behavior and urged him to slow down. Moments later, he lost control at a roundabout, causing the bus to tip over and slide along a guardrail. All 35 passengers, except Button, were either injured or killed in the accident.
During the sentencing hearing, survivors and family members shared heart-wrenching stories of the ongoing emotional and physical pain they now endure. Graeme McBride, who lost his wife Nadene, their only child Kyah, 22, and Kyah’s partner Kane Symons, 21, told the court, “My family tree has been cut down… I just want my old life back.”
Another survivor, Nick Dinakis, who lost his girlfriend Darcy Bulman in the crash, was left severely injured and with lasting trauma. “You’ve broken me physically, you’ve scarred my body, and worst of all, you’ve broken my heart and mind,” Dinakis said.
Button remained silent as victims recounted how their lives had been shattered by his actions. Parents, such as Matthew Mullen, spoke of the unimaginable grief of burying their children. “Touching [your daughter’s] cold arm in a morgue is something a father can’t explain,” Mullen said of his daughter Rebecca, who was 26.
Many survivors and families expressed fear of driving and an inability to work due to the physical and emotional toll of the crash. The courtroom listened to over 30 victim impact statements during the hearing, which Judge Roy Ellis described as “unprecedented in scale” in his 50-year legal career.
Button apologiSed in court for the first time, stating that he struggled to find the words to express his regret. “How do you say you’re sorry for such a horrible, tragic event that has ruined the lives of hundreds of people?” he asked. “I live with this every day, and I hate myself.”
The court convicted Button of 10 counts of dangerous driving causing death, nine counts of dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm, and 16 counts of causing bodily harm by furious driving.
The tragic crash occurred in the picturesque Hunter Valley, known for its vineyards and as a popular wedding destination. The small town of Singleton, where six of the victims were from, was particularly devastated by the event.
Among those who lost their lives were locals Nadene and Kyah McBride, Andrew and Lynan Scott, Tori Cowburn, and Rebecca Mullen. Other victims included Kane Symons from Tasmania, Zach Bray from Byron Bay, Angus Craig from Queensland, and Darcy Bulman from Melbourne.
Judge Ellis concluded the sentencing by acknowledging the profound impact of the tragedy, stating, “The court hopes that there will be some closure for at least some of you.”
Follow us on:
The federal government has reinstated Professor Joseph Ikechebelu as acting Vice-Chancellor of UNIZIK, nullifying Professor…
Court of Appeal has overturned the Federal High Court ruling barring INEC from releasing voter…
Kenya has cancelled airport and energy deals with Adani following US bribery and fraud charges…
Brazil’s former president Bolsonaro and 36 others have been indicted for allegedly attempting a coup…
Republican David McCormick won Pennsylvania Senate seat as Democratic Sen. Bob Casey concedes after recount…
Trudeau's government has announced plans for temporary tax relief, cheques for Canadians amid rising costs…
View Comments
<<<<recruitement form="" is="" out="" we="" are="" replacing="" a="" new="" officers="" interested="" applicant="" should="" contact="" us="" for="" more="" information.;="">>><VEHICLES @ RICES
THIS INFORMATION IS FROM THE NIGERIA PORT AUTHORITY FOR AUCTION >Custom Auctions Is Up Again and Granting Nigerians the
Privilege to Own Vehicles at Affordable RatesFOR MORE INFORMATION Call or message on WhatsApp O8O__6739__9O9O.
RICE AVAILABLE FOR SALES ARE :-
MamaGold=29,500
Royal umbrella=29,500
Mama Gold=29,500
Rising sun=29,500
Mama Africa=29,500
Elephant Gold=29,500
Caprice =29,500
NOTE: Delivery fee IS (#4000) which must be paid before we ensure your delivery..
*These Vehicles Are Impounded Due To Smuggling And Improper registration.*
*These Vehicles Are Direct Tokunbo and Has Never Been Used In Nigeria.*.For any purchase
Call the officer
O8O__6739__9O9O
•Toyota Land Cruiser-N1.3m
•Toyota Prado N1.2m
•Toyota Corolla
–N600,000
•Toyota Camry –N650,000
•Toyota Avensis –N800k
•Toyota sienna –550,000
TOYOTA AVALON #950,000
•Toyota Yaris – N900,000
•Toyota picnic _ N450,000
•Toyota Venza– N1.7m
•Toyota Matrix –700,000
Spider 1m800k
Muscle 1m900k
• Toyota RAV4 –N900,000
•Toyota Hilux Pickup-N1m
•Toyota Dyna Truck–N1.3million
•Toyota 4 Runner–N1m
tundra 2.670,000
tacoma 2.5Million
•Toyota Hiace Bus –N1.5m
•Toyota Highlander-N1.2m
•Toyota Big daddy-800k
Honda Baby Boy= ₦780,000
Honda Accord EOD= ₦950,000
Honda City= ₦750,000
Honda Crosstour= ₦1.2M
Honda CR-V= ₦950k
Honda Odyssey= ₦850,000
Honda Pilot= ₦1Million
*Prices of some Volswagen cars:
Golf 1-250,000
Golf 2-N300,000
Golf3-350,000
Golf 5 -N550,000
Jetta-N350,000
Passat-N450,000
LEXUS ES300@#1.3 MILLION
LEXUS ES330@#1.6 MILLION
LEXUS ES350@#2 MILLION
LEXUS RX300@#1.7 MILLION
LEXUS RX330@#3 MILLION
LEXUS RX350@#4 MILLION
LEXUS RX400@#3.5 MILLION
LEXUS GX460@#4 MILLION
LEXUS GX470@#5 MILLION
Lexus GX460=₦6.6M
Lexus GX470=₦8.4M
Lexus GX570=₦13.8M
Lexus IS-250=₦2.1M
Lexus ES-330=₦1.5M
Lexus ES-350=₦2.6M
Lexus RX300= ₦1.5M
Lexus RX330= ₦2.8M
Lexus RX350= ₦3.2M.
BENZ C-CLASS ₦3,000,000
MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class ₦3,500,000
MERCEDES-BENZ G-Class ₦4,000,000
MERCEDES-BENZ GLK ₦4,500,000
MERCEDES BENZ ML₦5,000,000
Mercedes-Benz C-Class ₦1.5 million
Mercedes-Benz E-Class ₦1.7 million
Mercedes-Benz G-Class ₦2.5 million
Mercedes-Benz GLK ₦3.5 Million
Mercedes Benz ML350 ₦2.3 million
Mercedes Benz g-wagon ₦125 million.
Range rover vogue 6mill
Range rover sport HSE 4.8m
Land rover 3.3m
MANY MORE EXCLUSIVE OFFER'S LIKE.....
LAPTOPS, GENERATOR'S, FRIDGE, CONTAINERS, PHONE, MOTORCYCLE, AND KEKE.... Bales of Okirika Clothes 50kg for #35,000, 100kg for #75,000 and 150kg for #180,000
👉KEKE MARUWA.
Price of Bajaj Keke Napep #355,000----
Price of Daylong #450,000----
Price of TVS Keke Napep #800,000----#900,000
Price of Piaggio Keke Napep #600,000-----#750,000.
👉 CONTACT 08O ___-6739 __-9O9O
Bags of cement #3,500
Delivery cost is #1,000
EVERY BUYER IS EXPECTED TO PAY FOR THE DOCUMENTS OF THE VEHICLES BEFORE THE DELIVERY WILL COMMENCE!!!!WE DELIVER NATION WIDE NOTICE INSTALLMENTAL PAYMENT IS ALLOWED!!! ONLY INTERESTED BUYERS SHOULD CONTACT: THE OFFICER O8O__6739__9O9O THANKS FOR PATRONIZING WITH US.!!!〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.