Brett Button, who crashed a wedding bus in the Hunter killing 10 people, pleads guilty to multiple charges

brett button, who crashed a wedding bus in the hunter killing 10 people, pleads guilty to multiple charges

Brett Button was surrounded by supporters as he entered Newcastle Local Court. (ABC Newcastle: Bridget Murphy)

A bus driver charged over a fatal crash in the New South Wales Hunter Valley has pleaded guilty to multiple offences, while charges of manslaughter have been withdrawn.

Brett Andrew Button, 59, was charged with a total of 89 offences over the crash at Greta in June 2023 which killed 10 people and injured 25 others who were returning home from a wedding.

In Newcastle local court today, Button pleaded guilty to 10 counts of dangerous driving occasioning death and nine counts of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm.

He also pleaded guilty to 16 related offences of driving furiously and causing bodily harm to survivors.

The court heard 10 charges of manslaughter were withdrawn and dismissed.

A further 25 charges of bodily harm by misconduct were also dropped.

The crash happened on June 11, last year when the coach, carrying 35 passengers from a nearby wedding, overturned on a roundabout near the township of Greta.

Mr Button allegedly lost control of the bus, which was taking guests from the Wandin Valley Estate to Singleton.

The bus rolled and skidded along a guard rail.

Families emotional in court

Family members of the victims packed the courtroom to watch as Button responded to every charge as they were read out by magistrate Caleb Franklin.

Button sobbed and clasped his hands together while in a soft voice entered the guilty pleas.

Family members were heard sobbing in the court as the victims’ names were read out with the charges, including when the manslaughter charges were withdrawn.

Button’s bail was revoked, and following the proceedings he spent some final moments with family before he was taken into custody.

The victims’ families were visibly emotional when they left the court and chose not to speak to waiting media.

The matter has been adjourned to the District Court in later months when a sentence date will be set.

OTHER NEWS

27 minutes ago

Working around your body clock could boost effectiveness of blood pressure drugs

27 minutes ago

‘Who became champion?’: Jurgen Klopp gives final dressing-room speech to Liverpool players

27 minutes ago

Oliver Glasner admits Eagles landing on lofty perch comes as some surprise

27 minutes ago

Ebrahim Raisi: what we know so far about Iranian president’s helicopter crash

28 minutes ago

Sources: Knicks' OG Anunoby, Josh Hart to play in Game 7

29 minutes ago

Boil water advisory issued for Gimli, Man.

30 minutes ago

Leeds United are 8/11 favourites to win promotion in their Championship play-off final against Southampton... with Saints deemed slight underdogs at evens with Sky Bet

30 minutes ago

Demi Moore, 61, stuns in a black strapless dress as she joins stylish Margaret Qualley at The Substance photocall during Cannes Film Festival

30 minutes ago

Jason Day hilariously caught swearing on hot mic at PGA Championship after poor tee shot attempt

30 minutes ago

Stefanik, Fox News anchor spar over New York Times report questioning her support of Trump

30 minutes ago

How Accurate Is “Bridgerton”? We Asked a Regency Historian What the Series Gets Right (and Wrong)

30 minutes ago

Ron Johnson says he doesn’t trust polls showing Biden beating Trump in Wisconsin

31 minutes ago

‘Coup involving foreigners’ thwarted in Democratic Republic of Congo

31 minutes ago

Will Power suffers engine hiccup as Chevrolet and Honda struggle ahead of Indy 500 qualifying

31 minutes ago

Fear and worry ‘awfully familiar’ for northern Alberta, says Pulitzer Prize finalist

31 minutes ago

Phil Foden: 'We've put ourselves in the history books'

31 minutes ago

No smiles for Postecoglou until Spurs achieve his 'lofty ambitions'

31 minutes ago

Power expected to be restored to most affected by deadly Houston storm

34 minutes ago

Jurgen Klopp leads chants for soon-to-be Liverpool boss Arne Slot at Anfield after Reds secure victory over Wolves in the German's final game in charge

34 minutes ago

Man in his 30s dies in police custody in Swindon after 'falling ill' - as watchdog begins a probe into the incident

34 minutes ago

Horoscope today: Daily guide to what the stars have in store for YOU - May 20, 2024

34 minutes ago

Slovakian prime minister Robert Fico remains in a 'serious condition' after being shot four times in assassination attempt - but 'the worst has passed' and the prognosis is now 'positive', minister says

35 minutes ago

Forget the Triple Crown. Even the Derby-Preakness double has been too much to ask of late

35 minutes ago

UN humanitarian chief delivers ‘apocalyptic’ warning over Gaza aid

35 minutes ago

Tom Brady's 3 Biggest Problems as Rookie 'NFL on FOX' TV Analyst

36 minutes ago

Sabrina Carpenter and Jake Gyllenhaal Had a Cute, Supportive Moment at the End of 'Saturday Night Live'

36 minutes ago

South Africa's controversial former president Jacob Zuma holds rally

36 minutes ago

Man City win record-breaking fourth Premier League title in a row

36 minutes ago

Premier League chief explains snubbing Manchester City to attend Arsenal vs Everton

36 minutes ago

The Political Journey Of Swati Maliwal: From Senior AAP Leader To ‘BJP Agent’

36 minutes ago

History maker: City win10 PL titles, record fourth-straight

36 minutes ago

Dominant Zverev wins second Italian Open title

36 minutes ago

All About The 1971 Plymouth HEMI 'Cuda Convertible

36 minutes ago

European Commission activates satellite mapping service to assist with Iranian president's search

36 minutes ago

Bills Super Bowl Window Closing? Ranking List of Contenders

37 minutes ago

Tens of thousands protest against Mexico's president in the main square of Mexico City

39 minutes ago

At least 27 shot, 1 fatally, across Chicago in overnight shootings

39 minutes ago

‘Rumours’ Review: Guy Maddin’s Smart, Sharp & Quirky Satire Hits The Bullseye For Those Who Have The Giant Brain For It – Cannes Film Festival

39 minutes ago

A24 Landing U.S. Rights Deal For Two-Time Palme D’Or Winner Ruben Ostlund’s Next Movie ‘The Entertainment System Is Down’

41 minutes ago

CNN commentator Alice Stewart’s shocking death sparks tributes from both sides of the aisle

Kênh khám phá trải nghiệm của giới trẻ, thế giới du lịch