The driver of the bus involved in the fatal Hunter Valley bus crash has been released on bail after the court heard more details about the incident and its potential cause.
The bus, which was travelling from the wedding reception of local couple Mitchell Gaffney and Maddy Edsell at Wandin Estate in the Lovedale area of the Hunter Valley to Singleton, was transporting guests back to their accommodation and to the wedding after party when the crash occurred.
It had 35 guests on board when the driver, Brett Andrew Button, lost control of the vehicle while turning at a roundabout.
Button, 58, appeared in court on Tuesday after he was charged with 11 offences including 10 counts of dangerous driving occasioning death on Monday.
Police Prosecutor Courtney Broom “strongly opposed” Button being released on bail, and said 10 witnesses gave evidence to police about Button’s “prolonged behaviour and dangerous driving”. She alleged he told passengers to “fasten their seatbelts” moments before the crash.
“There is evidence in the fact sheet that says [the passengers] fastened their seatbelts,” she said, per news.com.au.
Broom argued for Button’s bail request to be denied because police were concerned by the possibility that he could interfere with police witnesses, as well as those that were yet to give a statement to police. She also argued that he could refuse to appear in court — however, she conceded he had no criminal history.
“It is conceded he has limited traffic record,” she said.
“There are seven offences over some 30 years of driving and no criminal record.”
She also argued that there was a likelihood further indictable offences could be laid, and leaned into the grievous injuries that resulted from the crash.
“This is a serious motor vehicle collision that resulted in the death of 10 persons. There are currently 14 victims in hospital, two in ICU, and the injuries range in variety — some include grievous bodily harm.”
Magistrate Robyn Richardson however, released Button on bail and said bail shouldn’t be used as punishment.
“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,” Richardson said.
“Button is deeply linked to his community and has support here today… I note the stringent proposed bail conditions.”
These conditions include a curfew of 8pm and 6am unless in the company of certain family members, reporting to police three days a week, surrendering any passports to the officer in charge, not applying for any travel documents and not going within 5km of any international departure point.
Magistrate Richardson told the court Mr Button’s own mental health had also suffered as a result of the incident and subsequent charges.
Button will next face Newcastle Local Court on August 9, with the matter unlikely to go to trial until 2024.
The cause of the Hunter Valley bus crash is yet to be determined as police continue their investigation. However, NSW Police Acting Assistant Commissioner David Waddell alleged in a press conference on Tuesday morning that the bus driver had been travelling too fast.
“He entered that roundabout driving in a manner that was inconsistent with the conditions,” he alleged to reporters, per news.com.au.
“Obviously the speed was too quick for him to negotiate that roundabout, causing the vehicle to fall onto its left side and cause those injuries.”
The devastating crash resulted in the deaths of 10 wedding guests, making it the deadliest on Australian roads in more than 30 years, and one of the worst crashes to happen in that region of NSW. The scene that confronted paramedics, police and firefighters has been described as being like a something out of a “war”, per the Daily Telegraph.
The surviving 25 guests were taken to various hospital with multiple injuries, with two of them in a critical condition. As of Tuesday, 14 guests remain in hospital, most in a stable condition.
More to come.
Image: Nine