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The father of a woman who was killed in a horrific bus crash in NSW’s Hunter Valley says they have “nothing but love and sympathy” for the family of the man who was behind the wheel.
Brett Andrew Button, 59had all 10 charges of manslaughter dropped when he appeared at Newcastle Local Court on Tuesday as he admitted lesser charges over the June 2023 crash which killed 10 people and injured dozens more.
In a deal struck with prosecutors, he pleaded guilty to 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.
Matt Mullen, Rebecca Mullen’s father, said their thoughts are with the driver’s family.
“This is not about revenge against the driver at all,” he told reporters outside court on Wednesday.
“My feelings for him right now are numb, it’s not anger, it’s not hate, it’s nothing.
“I have nothing but love and sympathy for his family.
“I know what they’re going through.”
Mullen said he had not slept the night before in anticipation of the Crown’s public announcement that it would drop the charges against Button.
“It’s not about his punishment, it’s about the sense of justice why our children, husbands and wives were lost,” he said.
“It’s not about hurting anybody. It’s about what’s right.
Prosecutors had previously said they would seek to remand Button in custody, a move defense attorneys noted they would not oppose.
He was not required to plead guilty to additional charges, including careless driving causing death.
A further 25 charges of misconduct causing bodily harm were withdrawn.
Button arrived on court surrounded by a group of about a dozen supporters.
He said nothing to a large group of waiting media.
Button was arrested after he lost control of a bus carrying wedding guests from the Wandin Valley estate to Singleton at around 11.30pm on June 11.
The bus overturned on its side after hitting the guardrail.
Button previously apologized for the incident, telling reporters outside court in March that he was “devastated by what happened” and that he was “truly and deeply sorry.”
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions declined to comment on the reason for dropping the manslaughter charges.
Button was granted bail after initially being released due to mental health and welfare concerns if he was left in custody.
– With AAP
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