Hunter Valley bus crash driver Brett Button’s shock admission during emotional day in court

The driver who caused one of Australia’s deadliest bus crashes, killing 10 people and injuring 25, in the NSW Hunter Valley region has taken the stand during an emotional day in court.

Brett Button, 59, was behind the wheel of a coach carrying 35 people from a winery wedding back to their accommodation in Singleton — about a 35-minute trip — when it rolled on Wine Country Dr near the Hunter Expressway off-ramp at Greta, on June 11, 2023.

The 57-seat bus then slammed into a guard rail.

Following two days of emotional victim impact statements heard in court, Button himself took the stand.

The court heard Button had told police he didn’t brake while entering the roundabout in Greta as he believed he was ”going slow enough already”.

On Wednesday, the driver admitted this was not the case, and he did indeed approach the roundabout too quickly.

Forensic analysts earlier said they believed Button took 400mg of the opioid Tramadol in the 24 hours before the crash.

During his testimony, Button admitted on the day of the crash, he had taken “in excess” of his prescribed dose of painkillers.

In an emotional statement, Button broke down as he told the court he was “ashamed of everything (he’s) caused”.

“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 100s of people?” he told the court.

“I can’t ... forgive myself ... I can’t believe I caused this ... I never meant to cause it and I truly wish it never happened.

“I live with this everyday and I hate myself ... I never meant to hurt anyone in my entire life ... and now I’ve committed the ultimate sin.

“I’ve caused parents to have to bury their children ... which is my greatest nightmare.

“I hate myself and I want to disappear.”

Judge Roy Ellis said Button had an obligation to protect and maintain the safety of the 35 people on board the bus.

The judge said he considered Button had abandoned his moral responsibility to a significant degree.

Button claimed he had been using Tramadol since 1994 and had developed a tolerance to the opioid he used to relieve pain.

“I wouldn’t have taken it if I thought it was a risk to my driving ability,” Button said.

Earlier in the week, the victims’ family members delivered emotional victim impact statements, telling the court of their grief and trauma.

One victim, Graham McBride, told how he awoke five days after the Hunter Valley crash in a hospital bed with a fractured neck, ribs and arm and numerous cuts.

He had lost his wife Nadene and only daughter Kyah in the crash.

It was earlier heard Button told some passengers “this next part is going to be fun” moments before the fatal smash.

He pleaded guilty to 10 charges of dangerous driving causing death, nine counts of dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm and 16 counts of causing bodily harm by wanton driving.

- With AAP