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Hunter Valley bus driver learns his fate

<p>The judge has handed down his sentence to Hunter Valley bus driver Brett Button, who was behind the wheel of one of Australia's deadliest crashes that killed 10 people and injured 25 others. </p> <p>After a three-day hearing, Button, 59, was sentenced before Judge Roy Ellis at Newcastle District Court on Wednesday afternoon to 32 years behind bars with a non-parole period of 24 years beginning May 8th.</p> <p>He will be eligible for release on parole on May 7th, 2048.</p> <p>When the judge read his sentence, gasps were heard within the courtroom from survivors of the crash, while many victims' families broke down in tears. </p> <p>In sentencing, Judge Ellis said Button was under the influence of the opioid-based painkiller tramadol and had “abandoned his responsibility” to his 35 passengers at the time of the crash.</p> <p>“Words cannot adequately express the pain, anger, and sadness that permeated the first two days of these proceedings as victim impact statement after victim impact statement was read by and for absolutely distraught, depressed, and devastated family members of the deceased and survivors," Judge Ellis said.</p> <p>Judge Ellis said that in his 50 years in the justice system he had never “dealt with, seen, or even read about a case that involved anywhere near the same extent of extraordinary devastation”.</p> <p>“Surviving passengers described the trauma of their injuries and scenes of the crash, with unwanted memory of the carnage still present and easily triggered,” Judge Ellis told the court.</p> <p>Outside the courtroom after the sentence had been handed down, Leoni Bowey, who lost her sister Nadene McBride and niece Kyah McBride in the crash, said the family was surprised by the result but she didn’t “think there was ever an end to this”.</p> <p>“I don’t think closure ever happens,” she said.</p> <p>“Listening to the stories, I realised many of the victims that were on the bus that night are all living with trauma, depression, and anxiety - all things that will be with us for the rest of our lives."</p> <p>“I was having an anxiety attack because it was taking so long to get the numbers, and I had no idea what it all meant... but I will say I didn’t think we would get that sentence. I am really surprised.”</p> <p style="box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em>Image credits: 7News</em></p>

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Hunter Valley bus driver finally speaks out over horror crash

<p>The man who was behind the wheel of the deadly Hunter Valley bus crash in June 2023 has finally taken the stand, saying he is deeply sorry for the hurt he has caused the victims and their families. </p> <p>Brett Button, 59, was transporting wedding guests from the reception ceremony at the Wandin Valley Estate back to Singleton when the bus flipped, causing the deaths of 10 people and injuring 25 others. </p> <p>After pleading guilty to 19 charges, including dangerous driving occasioning death and grievous bodily harm, Button appeared before Newcastle District Court on Tuesday to hear emotional <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/hunter-valley-crash-survivor-s-demands-of-killer-bus-driver" target="_blank" rel="noopener">victim statements</a> from survivors and family members of those who were killed.  </p> <p>On Wednesday, Button finally broke his silence on the fatal crash, issuing an emotional apology to all those impacted by the devastating crash.</p> <p>"I've tried to figure out the words to say I'm sorry, but how do you say you're sorry for such a horrible tragic event that has ruined the lives of hundreds of people," he told the court.</p> <div data-component="EmphasisedText"> <p>"I can't forgive myself. I can't believe I caused this, I never meant to cause it and every single person that died and was injured and everyone involved in this, I truly wish it never happened and I could apologise where people actually believe me."</p> </div> <p>"I live with this every day and I hate myself. I've caused parents to have to bury their children, which has been my biggest nightmare all my life, and now I've done it to so many families."</p> <p>"I'm sorry to everyone involved, including the police and everyone, my family — I've shamed everyone."</p> <p>Button also shared with the court that he had been taking the opioid tramadol since 1994, and admitted on the day of the crash, he had taken “in excess” of his prescribed dose of painkillers.</p> <p>When asked by his barrister Paul Rosser KC if he felt he was addicted, Button said he was "certainly dependent", adding that a pain specialist warned Button one year before the crash that he was at risk of addiction. </p> <p>When further questioned, Mr Button said he had no perception on that night the drug had impaired his driving.</p> <p>"I take responsibility for the death and injuries, it was no way purposeful and I wasn't negligent," he told the court. "I didn't do it deliberately."</p> <p>Andrew Scott, 35, and wife Lynan Scott, 33, Nadene McBride, 52, 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, were killed in the crash on June 11th 2023, with the crash now known as one of Australia's worst ever fatal road incidents.</p> <p>Judge Roy Ellis will consider 40 victim impact statements as part of his sentencing.</p> <p><em>Image credits: 7News</em></p>

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Hunter Valley crash survivor's demands of killer bus driver

<p>A man who survived the devastating bus crash in the Hunter Valley in June 2023 that claimed the lives of 10 people has confronted the man who was behind the wheel with an emotional victim statement in court. </p> <p>On that fateful day, Brett Button was transporting wedding guests to the reception venue when the bus flipped at a roundabout at Greta, with the crash claiming the lives of 10 people and injuring another 25 passengers. </p> <p>As a result, Button, 59, has pleaded guilty to 19 charges, including dangerous driving occasioning death and grievous bodily harm, appearing before Newcastle District Court on Tuesday to hear emotional victim statements from survivors and family members of those who were killed.  </p> <p>Taking the stand to deliver his impact statement following a day and a half of hearings, one survivor demanded Button look at him before telling him he'd trapped him in a “bus of hell”. </p> <p>“My friends didn’t deserve to die, the others didn’t deserve to die,” he said.</p> <p>“The families here don’t deserve to be here. My future has been destroyed because of your actions. I can no longer be the person I was. The intergenerational trauma you have caused is enormous.”</p> <p>Earlier on Tuesday, Steve Symons, whose son Kane died in the crash, fought back tears to tell Button about how his son had seized on a “second chance” after a childhood injury only to have it “cruelly” robbed from him.</p> <p>“Kane’s death has shattered our lives. It has left an unrepairable void. He was a vibrant and ambitious young man who had been given a rare second chance at life,” Mr Symons told the court.</p> <p>“He lived with an acute awareness of just how precious life is and embraced every moment of it. To lose him now after he was given that second chance at life is both cruel and unjust.”</p> <p>Zachary Bray was also given a “second chance” after a battle with stage-3 bowel cancer, as his mother, Jackie, said he “always chose the right path” in another emotional statement. </p> <p>“In many ways, Zac was the perfect child if there ever was one. He just wanted to please and did so his entire life, making his family, friends and colleagues proud in everything he did,” she said.</p> <p>“He and his friends did what they were told to do: have a plan B. They trusted the bus driver would get them home safely, but my son who did everything right still didn’t make it home."</p> <p>“Zac got a death sentence, and his family and friends got a life sentence.”</p> <p>At least 35 people are expected to provide witness impact statements to the court during a marathon three-day sentence hearing that began on Monday morning before Judge Roy Ellis, who is expected to hand down his sentence to Button on Wednesday. </p> <p>Andrew Scott, 35, and wife Lynan Scott, 33, Nadene McBride, 52, 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, were killed in the crash on June 11th 2023, with the crash now known as one of Australia's worst ever fatal road incidents.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p>

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"A kick in the teeth": Father of Hunter Valley crash victim shares his anger

<p>The father of one of the victims of the deadly Hunter Valley bus crash has spoken out, following news that the driver struck a plea deal. </p> <p>On Wednesday, Brett Andrew Button entered into a plea agreement, which saw 10 manslaughter charges be dropped against the man who was behind the wheel when the bus crashed. </p> <p>He then pled guilty to 10 counts of dangerous driving causing death, nine of dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm and 16 of furious driving causing bodily harm.</p> <p>After news of the plea deal broke, the father of one of the victims shared how the downgrade in charges felt like "more than a kick in the teeth". </p> <p>"It reopens wounds and triggers and it evokes, obviously, some anger, but I'm trying to be balanced and stick with the facts and hopefully we can achieve some positive outcomes," Adam Bray told <a href="https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-affair/hunter-valley-wedding-bus-crash-manslaughter-charges-dropped/d55638e1-690f-41e1-967c-6c714ccbb501" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>A Current Affair</em></a>. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6s9sJvsnxh/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6s9sJvsnxh/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by A Current Affair (@acurrentaffair9)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Mr Bray's son, 29-year-old Zach was one of the 10 people who tragically died in the crash. </p> <p>"Five weeks ago we were running 89 charges, including 10 charges of manslaughter."</p> <p>"Thirty six hours before the court today, all the families were told, sold a bit of a story to be honest ... that's extremely disappointing and I'll continue to fight."</p> <p>"It's totally wrong and does it need to take these 10 lives to fix bus and coach safety in Australia?"</p> <p>Mr Bray's comments come as reports emerged that Mr Button had a drug dependency and had prescription painkillers in his system at the time of the crash.</p> <p>"It's criminal to drive a vehicle, a heavy vehicle in Australia, particularly with 35 passengers on board, when you are medicated," Bray said.</p> <p>"So to reduce to lesser charges, it's not balanced.</p> <p>Bray's emotions ran high as he described his son as an "incredible man" who had overcome stage 3 bowel cancer before the fatal crash.</p> <p><em>A Current Affair</em> host Ally Langdon told the grieving father. "I'm so sorry that you are going through this. I'm so sorry the process played out as it has. It's not fair."</p> <p>Following the emotional court proceedings, Mr Bray said he felt like his emotions over the tragedy were "pretty much back to square one".</p> <p>"(I am) processing it. Yep, another massive challenge. We'll do our best to get through it, but also try to get law reform so that 10 beautiful people did not die in vain."</p> <p>"It's far from fair, let's try to rally around government, try to rally around the attorney general, get some public opinion, let's try to create some fairness, it's all we can do."</p> <p><em>Image credits: A Current Affair / Getty Images </em></p>

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Charges dropped for Hunter Valley bus driver

<p>The driver responsible for the Hunter Valley bus crash that claimed the lives of 10 people has had major charges dropped as he faced court. </p> <p>Brett Andrew Button, 59, faced Newcastle Local Court on Tuesday, as all 10 manslaughter charges were dropped as part of a deal struck with prosecutors. </p> <p>As part of the deal, Button pled guilty to a string of other charges, including 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.</p> <p>Another 25 charges of causing bodily harm by misconduct were also withdrawn.</p> <p>He was not yet required to enter pleas to back-up charges including negligent driving causing death.</p> <p>Since his first arrest, Button had been on bail after initially being granted release due to mental health and wellbeing concerns should he be kept in custody.</p> <p>However, he has now been remanded into custody on remand to await sentencing.</p> <p>The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) declined to comment on the reason for the manslaughter charges being withdrawn.</p> <p>Mr Button was arrested after allegedly losing control of a bus that was transporting 35 wedding guests to a reception in the NSW Hunter Valley. </p> <p>The bus rolled over at a roundabout near Greta, killing 10 people and injuring 25 others. </p> <p>Mother and daughter Nadene and Kyah McBride, Kyah’s boyfriend Kane Symons, husband and wife Andrew and Lynan Scott, Zach Bray, Angus Craig, Darcy Bulman, Tori Cowburn and Rebecca Mullen all died in the impact.</p> <p>Button has previously apologised for the incident, telling reporters outside court in March he was “devastated by what has occurred” and that he was “truly and deeply sorry”.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p>

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Tennis star "heartbroken" as injury puts life on hold

<p>Aussie tennis star Storm Hunter has suffered a devastating injury just one day before the nation's qualifying tie against Mexico. </p> <p>The 29-year-old has had to put her Olympic dream and plans to crack the world’s top 100 on hold, after she fell and ruptured her right Achilles tendon. </p> <p>The incident occurred on Thursday’s final practice session for Australia’s Billie Jean King Cup qualification tie against Mexico on Friday. </p> <p>Hunter took to Instagram to announce the bad news, with a picture of herself during one of the games.</p> <p>“I am devastated and heartbroken but incredibly grateful to be around the team and I know I have a great group of people around me that will help me get back on court as soon as possible,” she wrote. </p> <p>“Thank you so much everyone for the messages of support and love, I’m excited to stay for the tie and support our Aussie girls.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C5pE4RDPdpG/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C5pE4RDPdpG/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by STORM HUNTER (@stormcsanders)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>In a following update, she shared a photo of herself in crutches holding a bouquet of flowers that she received from the rival team. </p> <p>"Thank you team Mexico for the flowers" she captioned the photo, with a heart emoji and the Mexican flag. </p> <p>Recovery time for a ruptured Achilles is at least four months, but can take up to a year depending on the injury. </p> <p>This means that the tennis star is set to miss the Olympic Games in Paris later this year, where she could've featured in all three disciplines.</p> <p>She was set to team up with Ellen Perez for the clash with Mexico, but has since been replaced with Daria Saville. </p> <p>“Storm went to take off for a ball and unfortunately has sustained a very serious injury, so she’s going to be getting an MRI tonight,” Team captain Sam Stosur said on Thursday. </p> <p>“Obviously the tie still continues and we’ve made a decision. Dasha’s going to go in place of her to play tomorrow, but obviously we’re all rallying behind Storm and wishing her the very, very best and the quickest recovery possible.”</p> <p>Hunter has had a career-high singles mark of 114 at the start of April, and finished 2023 as the world No.1 in doubles alongside Elise Mertens. </p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p> <p> </p> <p> </p>

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Hunter Valley bus driver breaks silence

<p>Brett Andrew Button, 59, who allegedly caused a fatal bus crash that <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/hunter-valley-bus-driver-hit-with-new-charges" target="_blank" rel="noopener">killed 10 people</a> and injured 25 others has broken his silence over the incident for the first time.</p> <p>Button appeared before Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday as he faces almost 90 charges associated with the horror crash. </p> <p>In a statement read by his lawyer, Chris O’Brien, Button said that there was “not a day that goes by that I don’t think about what happened that night”.</p> <p>“There isn’t an hour that goes by that I’m not thinking of the families that have been affected by the crash.</p> <p>“I truly feel for anyone involved, including the emergency services.</p> <p>“I am devastated by what has occurred and I am truly deeply sorry.”</p> <p>Button was the bus driver in charge of driving wedding guests to a Hunter Valley venue when the vehicle allegedly lost control and crashed.</p> <p>Husband and wife Andrew and Lynan Scott were killed in the crash and farewelled in ceremonies weeks later. </p> <p>Nadene and Kyah McBride who were among the ten wedding guests killed in the crash, were also <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/a-moving-time-hunter-valley-bus-crash-victims-honoured-at-aflw-grand-final" target="_blank" rel="noopener">honoured with a tribute</a> at the AFLW grand final in December. </p> <p>Zach Bray, Angus Craig, Darcy Bulman, Tori Cowburn and Rebecca Mullen were the other victims of the horror crash. </p> <p>Button faces 89 charges including nine counts of negligent driving occasioning death and 16 counts of driving a motor vehicle furiously doing or causing harm.</p> <p>He has not entered any pleas. </p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

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Hunter Valley bus driver hit with new charges

<p dir="ltr">The bus driver involved in the fatal crash that killed 10 people on the way to a wedding reception has been hit with new charges over the tragedy. </p> <p dir="ltr">In June 2023, Brett Andrew Button was driving the bus to a Hunter Valley venue when the vehicle allegedly lost control and crashed, killing 10 people onboard.</p> <p dir="ltr"> The 59-year-old was initially charged last year, with his charges including 10 counts of dangerous driving occasioning death - driving in a dangerous manner and negligent driving occasioning death.</p> <p dir="ltr">On Tuesday morning, he was hit with 26 new offences, including 10 charges of manslaughter for each of the victims who died in the accident.</p> <p dir="ltr">The charges represent a significant upgrade in terms of legal severity, with Button facing a maximum of 25 years in prison for each manslaughter charge.</p> <p dir="ltr">He is also facing 16 counts of furious driving causing bodily harm, which relate to the manner in which Button was allegedly driving in the moments leading to the crash.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Button will now be facing a total of 89 charges over the incident when he returns to court on Wednesday, and is currently out on bail. </p> <p dir="ltr">In August last year, the court was told that it was clear Mr Button was “suffering” amid concerns about his mental health and wellbeing in custody.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Button has yet to enter pleas for the existing charges.</p> <p dir="ltr">The bus driver was taking wedding guests towards Singleton for the wedding reception of Mitchell Gaffney and Maddy Edsell, when he allegedly told bus passengers to “fasten your seatbelts” moments before losing control of the vehicle. </p> <p dir="ltr">Local husband and wife Andrew and Lynan Scott, Zachary Bray, Angus Craig, Darcy Bulman, Tori Cowburn, Rebecca Mullen, Kane Symons, and mother-and daughter Naden and Kyah McBride were all killed in the crash.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p> </p>

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"A moving time": Hunter Valley bus crash victims honoured at AFLW grand final

<p>Avid footy fans Nadene and Kyah McBride were among the ten wedding guests killed in the <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/more-than-we-can-bear-hunter-valley-bus-crash-victims-identified" target="_blank" rel="noopener">horror bus crash</a> on the June long weekend.</p> <p>They are survived by grieving dad and husband, Graham McBride, who was also on the bus at the time of the crash, but only suffered neck and arm injuries. </p> <p>On Sunday, their lives and love for the sport have been honoured during the during the AFLW grand final between North Melbourne and Brisbane. </p> <p>“We thank all of those involved in community football for their tireless efforts in making our game the best it can be,” the game's MC and Seven commentator Nat Edwards said as they brought out the cup. </p> <p>Nadene, who was the founder and coach of the Singleton Roosterettes, has been named an official AFLW community hero. </p> <p>Her daughter Kyah was a star player in the team, and was also part of the Sydney Swans AFL women's development squad.</p> <p>Graham joined the guard of honour as his wife and daughter were acknowledged. </p> <p>He paid a touching tribute to his loved ones before the game. </p> <p>"Nadene has done a lot for football so to get their recognition back hits home," a teary-eyed Graham told <em>Nine News</em>.</p> <p>"Everyone enjoyed being around the girls, they made you smile," he added. </p> <p>In another interview with 7News he told the publication:  “I think that cup will be full of happy tears and sad tears. It’ll be a proud moment." </p> <p>”(Nadene) bled Sherrin in her veins. Footy was everything to her.</p> <p>”I’m going to do it for my girls ... I bloody love them and they love their football.”</p> <p>Just months prior to the tragic accident, Nadene and Kyah celebrated their teams win. </p> <p>“For Singleton AFC when we first started, we were actually not very good,” Nadene said in a Ladbrokes video that resurfaced following the crash. </p> <p>“One of our biggest deficits was about 263-to-nil I’m pretty sure. We only kicked two goals for that whole season, and I kicked them both and I was playing centre halfback.</p> <p>“We’ve come a massive way since then and in 2020, miraculously and through a lot of hard work, we actually took out the premiership.</p> <p>“We beat a team we definitely shouldn’t have beaten on the day and we did.”</p> <p>Bus driver Brett Andrew Button was <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/52-new-charges-levelled-at-hunter-valley-bus-driver" target="_blank" rel="noopener">charged</a> over the crash and remains before court. </p> <p><em>Images: Getty/ Nine</em></p>

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52 new charges levelled at Hunter Valley bus driver

<p>The bus driver accused of causing a fatal crash in the NSW Hunter Valley has bene slapped with dozens of new charges.</p> <p>Brett Button was allegedly behind the wheel of the bus carrying wedding guests when it rolled near the Hunter Expressway at Greta.</p> <p>The devastating crash claimed the lives of ten people, and injured several others, who were travelling from a wedding ceremony to a reception party in June. </p> <p>Mr Button, 58, was granted bail at Cessnock Local Court shortly after the accident, as he faces 20 charges, including negligent driving occasioning death. </p> <p>However, on Thursday it was revealed that Mr Button is now facing 63 charges in total, after 43 additional charges were laid by NSW Police.</p> <p>The new offences include nine charges each of dangerous and negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm.</p> <p>There were also an additional 25 new charges of causing bodily harm by misconduct while in charge of a motorvehcile.</p> <p>Police claim Button was driving too quickly and allegedly told passengers to "fasten your seatbelts" in the moments before the vehicle lost control at a roundabout and slammed into a guardrail, before tipping onto its side.</p> <div>Kane Symons, Angus Craig, Rebecca Mullen, Darcy Bulman, Nadene and Kyah McBride, Andrew and Lynan Scott, Tori Cowburn, and Zachary Bray were killed in the crash.</p> <p>Earlier this week, the NSW government finalised its inquiry into the bus crash but the findings are yet to be released.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> </div>

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"Forever cherish the memories": Hunter Valley groom speaks

<p>Mitchell Gaffney, the groom who lost 10 friends in the Hunter Valley bus crash incident, has spoken out for the first time. </p> <p>The newlywed spoke at his friend Zachary Bray’s funeral in Sydney, three weeks after the devastating collision.</p> <p>The 29-year-old was remembered as a loveable larrikin and an adored brother and son, who had survived a battle with bowel cancer and was dedicated to raising awareness to the disease. </p> <p>Gaffney and Bray met playing football and became friends off the field.</p> <p>“Although you’ll never get the chance to put the jumper on again, you’ll always be there by our side,” Gaffney said.</p> <p>Bray was known as Labrador or Lab to his footy mates, with the affectionate nickname speaking to his gentle character. </p> <p>“They’re pretty smart dogs,” Gaffney said.</p> <p>“They’re extremely loveable but no matter what they do, they do it with that big goofy smile."</p> <p>“That was the first impression he made and it still holds true.”</p> <p>Gaffney said Bray was the ultimate team player, who “had the ability to make everyone feel included”.</p> <p>“We will forever cherish the memories that we are lucky enough to hold together.”</p> <p>Bray’s family and friends including his girlfriend Georgie Copeland, came together to honour Bray in the emotional ceremony. </p> <p>“My heart hurts,” Copeland said. “I can’t deny it.”</p> <p>“But I know that it hurts deeply because it was deeply real.”</p> <p>Bray’s mother Jacqui Varasdi also spoke at the funeral, and said being his mother was her “greatest achievement”.</p> <div> <p>“And to see you here, laying in this box, just doesn’t make any sense.”</p> <p>Many of the guests will gather again next week to honour the lives of Nadene and Kyah McBride, who were also killed in the Hunter Valley bus crash. </p> <p><em>Image credits: 7News</em></p> </div>

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"Truly remarkable": Outpouring of love for orphaned infants of bus crash victims

<p>Generous Australians have opened their hearts and wallets to show their support for the two orphaned children of Andrew and Lynan Scott. </p> <p>The Scotts were onboard the bus that crashed in the Hunter Valley and were killed, along with eight others, leaving behind two sons, aged two and four. </p> <p>Since the devastating crash, family friends Sean and Paula Mewing set up a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/Support-the-sons-of-Andrew-and-Lynan-Scott" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GoFundMe</a> page for the young boys from Singleton in northern NSW, with the staggering sum reaching almost $300,000 in just over a week. </p> <p>The page's stated goal was $300,000 to 'to assist in providing ongoing support for the sons' of the Scotts, with more than 2,300 donations making up a total sum of $287,000.</p> <p>Despite the page almost reaching the target, the families of Andrew and Lynan said the page would "remain open in weeks, months and years ahead" to "support these boys in any endeavour they wish to pursue".</p> <p>In an update posted on Sunday, the families of Andrew and Lynan thanked page visitors for "all the love and support you all have shown in the past week either via donations and/or messages on this page, it is truly remarkable."</p> <p>In the messages section, tributes flowed from friends, family and colleagues of the deceased couple.</p> <p>"I worked with Andrew and he was one of the most genuinely sweet men I’ve ever met," one person wrote.</p> <p>"We were usually the first 2 there in the morning and he always had a happy smile and a hello for me! He won’t be forgotten."</p> <p>Another said, "Thank you Lynan and Andrew for being part of my life and sharing your family with me."</p> <p>"I will be forever grateful that our paths crossed. We hope to be there to support the boys in the years to come. Much love to their families now and forever."</p> <p><em>Image credits: GoFundMe</em></p>

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First victim of Hunter Valley bus crash farewelled

<p>Family and friends have joined together for the emotional farewell of Angus Andrew Craig, at the first funeral of the ten wedding guests killed in the Hunter Valley bus crash. </p> <p>The 28-year-old was farewelled at a service held at Worrigee in Nowra on Monday morning, with many of those who attended the wedding present to say their goodbyes. </p> <p>Angus grew up on the south coast of New South Wales before moving to Singleton where Maddy Edsell and Mitchell Gaffney, the bride and groom, were also living.</p> <p>A notice of his funeral celebrated him as an “adored son, much loved brother and brother-in-law and beloved partner of Isabella”.</p> <p>Angus's sister Georgia laughed and wept as she remembered her brother who would now never meet her first child, which is due in two months time. </p> <p>"How cruel is this loss, of a lovely well-mannered gorgeous boy who matured into a lovely responsible thoughtful good-looking man," she said.</p> <p>Angus had only just moved in with his girlfriend Bella, who shared how "incredibly heartbroken" she was by losing the love of her life. </p> <p>“It’s so hard to put into words the immeasurable impact Angus had on my life and even harder to accept the fact we’ve lost such a beautiful, kind and exuberant soul,” Bella said at the service. </p> <p>"He was open minded and curious, he was up for any adventure no matter how quirky."</p> <p>“It didn’t take me long to fall in love with the bright, thoughtful and generous person he was."</p> <p>“When I’m feeling sad, when my emotions feel overwhelming and the world feels a bit dull, I’ll remind myself that tomorrow will be better."</p> <p>“I will smile and I will laugh, I will admire every sunset and every nice view. I will remember I’m forever a better person for having loved and been loved by you Angus.”</p> <p>Angus's funeral was the first of the ten wedding guests who were killed in a devastating bus crash in the Hunter Valley on June 11th, when the bus taking them to their accommodation rolled while driving through a roundabout. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Facebook</em></p> <div id="ad-block-4x4-1" class="w_unruly ad-block unruly_insert_native_ad_here ad-custom" style="caret-color: #000000; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; box-sizing: inherit; text-align: center; float: right; width: 705.202209px; margin-bottom: 24px;" data-type="unruly" data-ad-size="4x4,640x360" data-device-type="web" data-cb-ad-id="hybrid-banner-1" data-cb-dfp-id="unit=ndm.news;" data-ad-tar="pos=1" data-ad-pos="1" data-google-query-id="CMCykP3v3_8CFeHUcwEdIqUE3Q"></div>

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Bus tragedy newlyweds break silence

<p>The bride and groom at the centre of the Hunter Valley bus tragedy that killed 10 people have broken their silence on the devastating incident.</p> <p>Mitchell Gaffney and Madeleine Edsell issued a statement on June 19, a week from the crash at the end of their wedding day.</p> <p>“While we appreciate the outpouring of love and support from the community, we ask that the media respect our privacy while we grieve,” Edsell and Gaffney said.</p> <p>“Our primary focus at this time is processing this tragedy, and supporting our family and friends.”</p> <p>The newlyweds speaking out came soon after the groom’s father, John Gaffney called for an urgent overhaul of bus safety “so something positive can come out of this tragedy”.</p> <p>“50 years ago the fitting and wearing of seat belts became compulsory in Australia for all occupants of motor cars saving countless lives since,” John Gaffney wrote on LinkedIn.</p> <p>“Whilst my wife and I can't do this on our own we believe ultimately everyone who rides a bus should have access to a seatbelt and be compelled by laws to wear them,” he continued.</p> <p>“It was a glorious occasion until news of the bus crash with ten people losing their lives came within a few hours that has shattered many lives.</p> <p>“If you can assist by lobbying your federal, state and members (about seatbelts) that would be appreciated.”</p> <p>Carolyn Gaffney took to Facebook, posting to the father of one crash survivor, writing, “we both have our sons for which we are truly thankful”.</p> <p>The appeal was for donations to a GoFundMe by the Warrandyte Cricket Club to support <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/more-than-we-can-bear-hunter-valley-bus-crash-victims-identified" target="_blank" rel="noopener">families and victims</a> who still face a long recovery ahead.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Facebook/LinkedIn</em></p>

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“We will lean on each other”: Singleton Roosters open up on their devastating loss

<p dir="ltr"><em><strong>Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that the following article may contain the name and image of a person who has died.</strong></em></p> <p dir="ltr">Singleton Roosters AFC, a regional football club rocked by the Hunter Valley wedding bus tragedy, has released a heartbreaking statement on their devastating losses. </p> <p dir="ltr">10 people passed away in the devastating crash, with seven of them members of, or close to, the club - Kane Symons, Rebecca Mullen, Tori Cowburn, Andrew and Lynan Scott, and Nadene and Kyah McBride. </p> <p dir="ltr">“The Singleton Roosters Australian Football Club has been devastated by the tragic bus incident in the Hunter Valley,” the club’s president Dylan Hixon said from their home ground at Rose Point Park. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Our community has experienced unfathomable heartache, distress, and sadness, after a number of people closely connected to the club were on board and either injured or killed.”</p> <p dir="ltr">He went on to share that their “first priority and focus is on supporting the families, friends, and those from our wider club community who have been affected by this unspeakable tragedy.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We thank every person and organisation that has offered support and condolences to our club and the families affected, not only within our town and AFL community but also for those associated with the wedding party.”</p> <p dir="ltr">And as the 4261 residents of the town mourned their loss, he called for “the privacy of our community to be respected”, noting that “our club has been formed out of great people and the relationships fostered within it, and we will lean on each other through this incredibly difficult time, with the memory of everyone that has been lost at the forefront of our thoughts.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The same statement was shared to the club’s social media, where supporters and well-meaning readers showered the post with their love and sympathies, with many opting to share heart emojis in the team’s colours in remembrance for those they’d lost. </p> <p><iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fpermalink.php%3Fstory_fbid%3Dpfbid02Kx9jra6awxLn7uyP7Psj9S14AV8Ufd747JPk1SCpjmmqweBL1HfvQBWgLet5s8Lrl%26id%3D100057365271717&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="278" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p dir="ltr">The club and its supporters had already taken steps towards helping the families impacted by the tragedy, having raised $121,159 with a now-closed GoFundMe. </p> <p dir="ltr">The assistance wasn’t to stop there though, with Singleton Roosters AFC now directing any potential donors to the <a href="https://donations.rawcs.com.au/78-2022-23">Hunter Valley (NSW) Bus Tragedy Fund</a>, where a further $611,00 - and counting - has been raised for “relief and support to survivors, victims, and their immediate families from the events of the fatal bus accident”.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Facebook</em></p>

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Police raid Hunter Valley bus crash depots

<p>Police have issued defect and infringement notices to the transport company involved in the Hunter Valley bus tragedy after conducting raids on two depots.</p> <p>The crash on June 11 was the deadliest seen on Australian roads in over 30 years, <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/more-than-we-can-bear-hunter-valley-bus-crash-victims-identified" target="_blank" rel="noopener">leaving 10 dead and nine in hospital</a>.</p> <p>Police and National Heavy Vehicle Regulator inspectors checked 20 buses at Linq Busline depots in Wyong, on the NSW Central Coast, and East Gresford, near Newcastle, on June 15.</p> <p>Seven defect and two infringement notices were issued after a cracked windscreen, oil leaks, inoperative seatbelts and vehicle lights, and insecure seats were discovered.</p> <p>A defect notice is issued when a problem needs to be fixed before the vehicle can be deemed safe to drive.</p> <p>“The joint operation involved a comprehensive audit of documentation relating to fatigue, driver management, vehicle servicing and maintenance records, and safety management systems,” police said.</p> <p>Linq said “one major defect identified in the fleet has been rectified” and minor defects were being rectified in accordance with the timelines set by the regulator.</p> <p>The evening of June 15 saw heartbroken family and friends of the victims gathered near the crash site to mourn their loved ones and thank frontline workers.</p> <p>Most of the 25 survivors sent to hospital following the crash have since been discharged.</p> <p>The nine who remain in hospital are in stable condition, with seven at John Hunter Hospital and two at Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, according to NSW Health.</p> <p>Over 900 donations have been made since June 14 to fund survivors and victims’ families, with almost $500,00 raised.</p> <p>The tragedy has shaken the Singleton community, with seven locals among the 10 people killed when the bus crashed on its way back from a wedding.</p> <p>Cessnock mayor Jay Suvaal said the community came together to support the loved ones of those lost in the crash and pay tribute to the first responder.</p> <p>“We’re a really tight-knit community that does come together and support each other in times of need,” he told AAP.</p> <p>Locals have offered accommodation and support for victims’ families.</p> <p>“People are just dropping in things like cake and biscuits to our crisis centres to make sure there’s food available for the people there,” Suvaal said.</p> <p>Devastated friends and family continue to visit a makeshift memorial at the crash site, which is strewn with flowers, cards and teddy bears.</p> <p>Counselling and support is being offered at centres in Singleton and Branxton.</p> <p>Health Minister Ryan Park said mental health services would remain available as long as necessary.</p> <p>“What I do know about these types of traumatic and devastating events is that often it’s not in the hours and days afterwards when people need additional support — it’s often in the weeks and months,” he said.</p> <p>“They’ve been through unimaginable grief and suffering.”</p> <p>The insurer managing the crash compensation claims is being urged to ensure that extended family and friends of the victims receive support.</p> <p>Under the state’s compulsory third-party scheme, only those directly involved in the crash or who had suffered psychological trauma due to the death or severe injury of a close relative are eligible for support.</p> <p>Slater and Gordon layer Doug Williams urged the insurer to show compassion to those who have suffered due to the cash regardless of their ties to the victims.</p> <p>“It’s (the scheme) so limited that the close friends and the extended family as well as members of the small community where many of those killed lived would be ineligible to claim treatment,” Williams said.</p> <p>Many of the victims were heavily involved with the Singleton Roosters AFL club and the AFL Central Coast has cancelled its senior matches the weekend following the crash out of respect.</p> <p>Sydney Swans players will be bearing black armbands ahead of their next game against the Lions in memory of the victims.</p> <p>“We are deeply saddened by the horrific events over the weekend,” Swans chief Tom Harley said.</p> <p>The bus driver, Brett Button, 58, <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/hunter-valley-bus-driver-faces-court" target="_blank" rel="noopener">faced Cessnock Local Court</a> on June 13 charged with 10 counts of dangerous driving causing death.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty</em></p>

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School’s complaint about bus driver days before Hunter Valley crash

<p dir="ltr">Teachers at Green Point Christian College, on the Central Coast, raised their concerns about Brett Andrew Button’s driving conduct just days before the <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/more-than-we-can-bear-hunter-valley-bus-crash-victims-identified" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tragic accident in the Hunter Valley</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">They alleged that Button had a "lack of attention" while he was driving Year 5 students on an excursion to Bathurst last Thursday and Friday, and have sent a letter to parents confirming that he was the driver.</p> <p dir="ltr">Principal Phillip Nash told <em>9News</em> about the teachers' concerns that Button was "often chatting to teachers" instead of focusing on the road.</p> <p dir="ltr">"On the trip to Bathurst our teachers raised concerns about the driver and reported them at the end of the trip as per our usual procedures," the Principal wrote in the letter to the parents.</p> <p dir="ltr">"We ask staff to report anything of concern or anything inadequate in regard to the bus and or the driver.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Their concerns were not such that they felt they needed to contact us on the trip, however."</p> <p dir="ltr">The school has since reported their concerns to bus company Linq and have also shared the letter of complaint to the police investigating the Hunter Valley tragedy.</p> <p dir="ltr">Police have confirmed that they have received the letter of complaint and the teachers who were on the bus during the school trip are expected to be interviewed.</p> <p dir="ltr">The bus company has also shared a statement to <em>9News</em> confirming that they have received the letter of complaint.</p> <p dir="ltr">"We have been made aware by the media of a letter from Green Point Christian College sent to its students' parents," the statement read.</p> <p dir="ltr">"The concerns raised in the letter had not been brought to our attention until today.</p> <p dir="ltr">"We have received no other complaints about Mr Button before receipt of that letter.</p> <p dir="ltr">"As with all of our drivers, Mr Button was only engaged after he passed an independent driver assessment, and his references were checked.</p> <p dir="ltr">"It would be inappropriate for us to comment any further."</p> <p dir="ltr">Button has<a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/hunter-valley-bus-driver-faces-court" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> faced court</a> and is facing 11 charges including 10 counts of dangerous driving occasioning death, and one count of negligent driving.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: 7News / Seven/ Roni Bintang / Getty Images</em></p>

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“Get me there”: Bride’s reaction to news of tragic bus crash

<p>Following the tragic bus crash in the Hunter Valley that saw <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/more-than-we-can-bear-hunter-valley-bus-crash-victims-identified" target="_blank" rel="noopener">10 people lose their lives</a>, a wedding guest of Mitchell Gaffney and Madeleine Edsell has recounted the horror.</p> <p>Edsell’s cousin has revealed the devastating moment the bride learned of the crash, saying she demanded to be taken to the scene.</p> <p>The passengers were heading to The Royal Hotel in Singleton where several guests were staying, returning from the wedding venue Wandin Estate Winery in Lovedale, when the bus rolled near the Hunter Expressway off-ramp at Greta just after 11:30pm.</p> <p>It is now believed to be Australia’s worst bus crash in three decades.</p> <p>Edsell’s cousin Kynan Stanford was with the bride when she found out about the crash and told 7NEWS, “The bride was pretty much kicking down the door trying to get in the car, saying, ‘Get me there, I need to go’, and we were like, ‘No, you don’t need to go’.”</p> <p>Emergency services smashed the windscreen of the bus as they reached to rescue passengers trapped inside.</p> <p>The victims of the heartbreaking incident are being remembered as vibrant people with promising lives ahead of them.</p> <p>The tight-knit Hunter Valley town of Singleton has been shaken, with seven of the 10 deceased believed to be locals.</p> <p>A junior doctor, a husband and wife and a mother and daughter are among those who passed away.</p> <p>Two of the victims were Nadene McBride, a coach for the Singleton Roosterettes, and her 22-year-old daughter Kyah who played on the team.</p> <p>Husband and father Graham “Banger” McBride remains in hospital.</p> <p>“There are no words to describe the grief our family is feeling at this time,” the McBride family said in a statement.</p> <p>Kane Symons, Kyah’s boyfriend is among one of the deceased and is being remembered as a keen surfer, a remarkable leader and a genuine friend by his former Tasmanian Carlton Park Surf Life Saving Club.</p> <p>Singleton husband and wife Andrew and Lynan Scott, who both played for Singleton Rooster teams, were also victims of the crash and have two young children.</p> <p>Another victim, Tori Cowburn was captain of The Roosterettes and also played basketball, netball, tennis and touch football.</p> <p>Darcy Bulman, a 30-year-old investigator for the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, travelled from Melbourne with her partner for the wedding festivities.</p> <p>She sadly passed away and her partner is thought to be among one of the injured.</p> <p>Rebecca Mullen, a junior doctor and Singleton local working at Calvary Mater Newcastle Hospital was one of the younger victims.</p> <p>NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said Mullen had a “long and illustrious career in medicine” ahead of her.</p> <p>“This has made a very dark day even darker for NSW Health,” Park told reporters on June 13.</p> <p>Zach Bray, a mining engineer in the Hunter region, and engineer Angus Craig, who had worked with mining company BHP in Queensland.</p> <p>Singleton Mayor Sue Moore said her close-knit community was struggling to come to terms with the heartbreaking incident.</p> <p>Community members poured in for a vigil held at the Singleton Baptist Church to show their support on June 13.</p> <p>The owners of local hotels have started offering accommodation to the victims’ families, with many needing to extend their stay in the area.</p> <p>The bus driver, Brett Button, 58, <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/hunter-valley-bus-driver-faces-court" target="_blank" rel="noopener">faced Cessnock Local Court</a> on June 13 with 10 counts of deadly dangerous driving.</p> <p>Image credit: 7NEWS</p>

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Hunter Valley bus driver faces court

<p dir="ltr">The driver behind the wheel of the bus that overturned on a Hunter Valley roundabout, <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/more-than-we-can-bear-hunter-valley-bus-crash-victims-identified">claiming the lives of 10 and injuring dozens more</a>, has faced Cessnock Local Court. </p> <p dir="ltr">Brett Andrew Button was reportedly emotional as he was charged with 10 counts of dangerous driving occasioning death, as well as one count of negligent driving.</p> <p dir="ltr">Strict bail conditions were imposed on the 58 year old, with Magistrate Robyn Richardson noting that Maitland local Button had significant connections to the area, while acknowledging the emotional weight now upon his shoulders. Additionally, she said that there was a strong prosecution case for the 11 charges.</p> <p dir="ltr">Prosecutor Broom opposed an application for bail on the grounds that Button may not attend future court appearances and might interfere with witnesses, stating that 10 had already given evidence to police officials regarding Button’s “prolonged behaviour and dangerous driving, where he said ‘fasten your seatbelts’.” </p> <p dir="ltr">“Bail is strongly opposed,” she said. “It is conceded he has [a] limited traffic record.</p> <p dir="ltr">“There are seven offences over some 30 years of driving and no criminal record. This is a serious motor vehicle collision that resulted in the death of 10 persons. </p> <p dir="ltr">“There are currently 14 victims in hospital, two in ICU, and the injuries range in variety - some include grievous bodily harm.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Broom went on to inform the court that there was a “high likelihood” of further offences being laid before him, and of him serving full time custody.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, Magistrate Richardson did grant bail, explaining that bail shouldn’t be denied as a punishment, and drew attention to the man in question, who she believed to be suffering in the wake of the tragedy. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Mr Button has sat in court head down throughout these proceedings and it is clear to the court he suffers, along with the rest of his family,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Button is deeply linked to his community and has support here today … I note the stringent proposed bail conditions.”</p> <p dir="ltr">In accordance with those conditions, Button must abide to a curfew of 8 pm to 6 am unless he is with certain members of his family, report to the police three days each week, surrender his passports, remain at least 5 km from any international departure point, and refrain from applying for any travel documents.</p> <p dir="ltr">Additionally, he had to put forward $10,000 surety for his bail, avoid both drugs and alcohol, and keep well away from the driver’s seat of any motor vehicle.</p> <p dir="ltr">Before bail was granted, Acting Assistant Commissioner David Waddell shared that law enforcement would allege Button had been driving “too quick” for the conditions at the roundabout that night.</p> <p dir="ltr">"He entered that roundabout driving in a manner that was inconsistent with the conditions," he said. "The speed was too quick for him to negotiate that roundabout, causing the vehicle to fall onto its left side and cause those injuries."</p> <p dir="ltr">He went on to note that many of the officers who had been at the scene had been left “visibly distraught”, and that while there had been reports of fog in the area, he would not comment on whether or not visibility had been a factor. </p> <p dir="ltr">"The whole conditions will be examined as part of the investigation," he said. "So, it will be about how the driver drove in relation to the conditions."</p> <p dir="ltr">Button’s lawyer, Chris O’Brien, argued for both Button’s bail and his release, citing a number of medical conditions - including mental health concerns - though further information was not provided. He added that if the case were to go to trial, there was a chance it would see “long delays”. </p> <p dir="ltr">Button is currently scheduled to face Newcastle Local Court on August 9. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: 9News / Nine</em></p>

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Groomsman’s heroic act in wake of bus crash tragedy

<p dir="ltr">As news continues to break over the devastating Hunter Valley wedding bus crash, all eyes are on the survivors, and all thoughts go out to them and the victims, as well as their heartbroken families. </p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/more-than-we-can-bear-hunter-valley-bus-crash-victims-identified">10 people lost their lives in the tragedy, with dozens more rushed to hospital with injuries at every end of the scale</a>. And, as it has now been revealed, up to nine of them were members of the Warrandyte Cricket Club, all guests at the wedding the bus had been travelling from. </p> <p dir="ltr">One of those members was 27-year-old Brandon Stafford, a close friend and former teammate of the groom, Mitchell Gaffney. They had played together for the Victorian club while Gaffney and his bride - Maddy Edsell - had lived before making the move to the Hunter Valley region. </p> <p dir="ltr">Stafford was a groomsman for Gaffney’s big day, and according to his mother, a hero to his fellow bus passengers as well. </p> <p dir="ltr">As <em>Nine News </em>reported, Stafford had been onboard at the time of the crash, and had suffered a broken jaw. But it hadn’t stopped him from trying to help everyone around him, according to his mother. </p> <p dir="ltr">She explained that Stafford had called her around midnight to let her know there had been an accident, but that she had no further knowledge of what had transpired, or how bad the situation truly was. </p> <p dir="ltr">Despite his injuries, she said, Stafford went on to try and pull the other trapped and injured passengers from the bus, before he was taken to Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital himself.</p> <p dir="ltr">Royce Jaksic, president of the Warrandyte Cricket Club, had previously informedThe Sydney Morning Herald that a number of their current players - and their partners - were on the bus when tragedy struck. </p> <p dir="ltr">He said that the group were “extremely lucky” to have escaped with their lives, and “some minor injuries - a broken jaw, a broken collarbone, things like that.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But, you know, compared to the 10 people that have tragically lost their lives, I think we’ve been blessed in this one.</p> <p dir="ltr">“If you do the maths, they’ve been extremely lucky. We’ve just got fingers and toes crossed that no one else loses their lives.”</p> <p dir="ltr">And when news of their involvement was shared to the club’s official Facebook page, support flooded in from neighbouring organisations, and concerned onlookers, with each offering their ongoing support, and thoughts in their difficult time. </p> <p dir="ltr">“My deep condolences to the Gaffney &amp; Edsel families and to all the Warrandyte Community who are connected to the passengers in some way,” one wrote. “I acknowledge the loss, grief and trauma. I am sending my thoughts &amp; prayers during this difficult time and comfort during the tough time ahead.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“On behalf of myself and the whole RDCA family we are devastated to hear this news and send our thoughts and immense support to all the families involved as well as everyone at Warrandyte Cricket Club,” said another. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: 7 News / Seven, Facebook</em></p>

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