Mum of Hunter Valley bus crash victim Rebecca Mullen reveals her 'torment' over driver Brett Button's plea deal - as she recalls harrowing details of the night her daughter died

Harrowing statement read to NSW Parliament Leanne Mullen wrote of her crushing grief and angerREAD MORE: Heartbreaking blow for families whose loved ones were killed

The mother of a victim of the Hunter Valley bus crash has revealed her anguish over the death of her daughter and her anger at the legal system in a speech read out in parliament.

In heartbreaking scenes in NSW Parliament on Wednesday night, a statement written by Leanne Mullen was read to the house by the Member for Upper Hunter, Dave Layzell MP.

Rebecca Mullen was one of 10 people killed on June 11 last year when a bus carrying wedding guests rolled at a roundabout outside the town of Greta in the Hunter region of NSW.

Brett Andrew Button, 59, pleaded guilty earlier this month to 10 counts of dangerous driving causing death, nine counts of dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm and 16 counts of furious driving causing bodily harm.

In a plea deal, manslaughter charges against Button were dropped by the Director of Public Prosecutions.

In her harrowing statement, Ms Mullen revealed the moment she arrived at the scene of the crash and her feeling of hopelessness at not being able to tend to her daughter.

'I wonder if anyone can imagine what it is like to live with the fact that you stood 20 metres away from your daughter's dead body, being denied access to your baby girl.'

Leanne Mullen (pictured) wrote of her crushing grief and anger in a statement read to NSW Parliament

Leanne Mullen (pictured) wrote of her crushing grief and anger in a statement read to NSW Parliament

Ms Mullen revealed the moment she arrived at the scene of the crash and her feeling of hopelessness at not being able to tend to her daughter Rebecca (pictured)

Ms Mullen revealed the moment she arrived at the scene of the crash and her feeling of hopelessness at not being able to tend to her daughter Rebecca (pictured)

A traumatic statement written by Ms Mullen was read to NSW Parliament by Member for Upper Hunter, Dave Layzell MP (pictured)

A traumatic statement written by Ms Mullen was read to NSW Parliament by Member for Upper Hunter, Dave Layzell MP (pictured)

'To not be able to kiss her forehead, hold her hand, tell her we were there for her, that she was not alone and say all you needed to say about how much she was loved, how proud we were of the person she had become, how we promise we will carry her memory with us for as long as we live.'

Ms Mullen wrote how she had to hold her husband and son back as they desperately tried to help their daughter and sister.

Recalling how her daughter 'ceased being a person that night', Ms Mullen wrote Rebecca was now 'a piece of scientific evidence'.

'Not blaming the police, they were doing their job, but that is the harsh reality. Her body was an object to be studied, measured, photographed.'

The moment the bus was lifted upright in a so-called 'delicate operation' by salvage crews, bouncing as it landed, tormented Ms Mullen.

'I want people to think back to the footage shown to the nation repeatedly of the bus being on its side, my daughter is in there,' she wrote.

Ms Mullen said she felt 'tortured' thinking what was happening to her daughter's body during the process.

'Was she tied down, was she taped down, was she so tangled in the seats that she didn't move, did they just let her fall?'

'Every scenario, over and over in my head, night after night.'

She revealed she didn't get to see their daughter until more than two weeks after the accident and it was in a 'cold and sterile morgue'.

Turning to her anger at the justice system and the manslaughter charges against Button being dropped in a plea deal, Ms Mullen wrote she had tried to keep her grief at what had happened to herself.

Ten wedding guests were killed in the crash. They included Rebecca Mullen, Zach Bray  Angus Craig, Tori Cowburn, Nadene and Kyah McBride, Kane Symons, Andrew and Lynan Scott, and Darcy Bulman

Ten wedding guests were killed in the crash. They included Rebecca Mullen, Zach Bray  Angus Craig, Tori Cowburn, Nadene and Kyah McBride, Kane Symons, Andrew and Lynan Scott, and Darcy Bulman

Ms Mullen wrote she felt 'tortured' thinking what was happening to her daughter's body during the process of righting the bus

Ms Mullen wrote she felt 'tortured' thinking what was happening to her daughter's body during the process of righting the bus

Button returns to court on May 30 when a date for his sentencing will be fixed

Button returns to court on May 30 when a date for his sentencing will be fixed

She wrote while she was sacrificing her rights as a mother to hold her daughter as she died, she assumed 'the police were gathering evidence that could be used to ensure justice was done in relation to this crime'.

'Sadly, it wasn't the case. My daughter and her friends weren't worth the effort of a trial.

'I have lost my faith and trust in justice. The powerlessness of it all is crippling.

'They decided to do what was easy and timely, rather than what was right.'

Ms Mullen revealed she feels she is the one with a life sentence, 'knowing that the people who could make a difference decided that they would not fight to properly honour Rebecca and her friends in the way they deserve'.

Read More

Hunter Valley wedding bus crash victim's dad's incredible gesture outside court - after driver's dark secret was revealed

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She wrote the plea deal has 'torn apart any progress we have made recovering from this nightmare'.

Ms Mullen concluded her emotional statement by writing: 'I cannot reconcile that in my head at all and will be hurt by this decision every day for the rest of my life.'

On Wednesday, Mr Layzell told Parliament he had read Ms Mullen's statement to give the grieving mother 'a chance to be heard'.

He said the plea deal had a profound impact on the families of the crash victims' families, as the manslaughter charges carried a 25-year maximum sentence compared with only 10 years for dangerous driving.

'Knowing that the sentence will almost certainly be less than the maximum, and with a 25 per cent reduction due to the guilty plea, an offender could be out on parole in just a few years.'

'May the victims rest in peace,' he said.

Button returns to court on May 30 when a date for his sentencing will be fixed.

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