wedding bus crash in hunter valley kills 10 on june 11
- Brett Button, the driver, was under the influence of tramadol and engaged in reckless driving when the bus crashed.
- The crash resulted in the deaths of 10 passengers and injuries to 25 others, leading to emotional testimonies from survivors and families in court.
- Button's plea deal and subsequent sentence sparked outrage among victims' families, who felt the justice system had failed them.
On June 11, a tragic bus crash in Hunter Valley resulted in the deaths of 10 passengers who were returning from a wedding celebration. The driver, Brett Button, was under the influence of the opioid tramadol and was driving recklessly when the bus overturned at a roundabout. His actions led to the loss of young lives, including families and couples, causing immense grief and devastation among the survivors and victims' families. During the court proceedings, Button expressed deep remorse for his actions, acknowledging the pain he caused to many families. He had a history of tramadol use dating back to the 1990s and had previously been deemed unfit to drive due to his addiction. The court heard emotional testimonies from at least 40 survivors and family members, highlighting the profound impact of the crash on their lives. Despite the severity of the incident, Button faced a plea deal that resulted in 10 counts of dangerous driving causing death instead of manslaughter charges. He was sentenced to 32 years in prison, with a non-parole period of 24 years, which sparked mixed reactions from the public and victims' families, some of whom felt let down by the justice system. Button has since filed an appeal against his sentence, indicating his intention to challenge the court's decision. He is currently scheduled for potential parole in May 2048, but the emotional scars of the crash will remain with the affected families and survivors for a lifetime.