Bus Driver Sentenced for Deadly Crash in NSW

Brett Button, the driver responsible for a devastating bus crash in New South Wales' Hunter Valley that resulted in the deaths of 10 people and injuries to 25 others, has been sentenced to 32 years in prison with a 24-year non-parole period. The incident occurred on June 11, 2023, when Button, under the influence of the opioid tramadol, lost control of the bus while returning wedding guests, leading to it overturning at a roundabout. Judge Roy Ellis described the case as one of extraordinary devastation, stating he had never encountered anything like it in his 50 years in the legal system. Emotional victim impact statements were delivered in court, revealing the profound trauma experienced by survivors and families of the victims. Survivors testified that Button ignored pleas to slow down, with one survivor accusing him of reckless driving. Button expressed regret, acknowledging the irreversible harm he caused and referring to his actions as 'the ultimate sin'.