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

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

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

Today at Newcastle Local Court, Button pleaded guilty to 10 counts of dangerous driving resulting in death and nine counts of dangerous driving resulting in grievous bodily harm.

He also pleaded guilty to 16 offenses relating to furious driving causing bodily harm to survivors.

The court heard 10 murder charges were withdrawn and dismissed.

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

The accident occurred on June 11 last year when the bus, carrying 35 passengers from a nearby wedding, overturned at a roundabout near the municipality of Greta.

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

The bus rolled and skidded along a guardrail.

Excited families in court

Relatives of the victims packed the courtroom to watch Button respond to each charge as Magistrate Caleb Franklin read them.

Button sobbed and clasped his hands as he quietly pleaded guilty.

Relatives were heard sobbing in court as the victims’ names were read along with the charges, even as charges of involuntary manslaughter were dropped.

Button’s bail was revoked and, after the trial, he spent a few final moments with his family before being detained.

The victims’ families were visibly emotional as they left the courthouse, choosing not to speak to the expected media.

The matter was adjourned to the District Court in the coming months, when a sentencing date will be set.