Fathers Plea For Justice Over Greta Bus Crash Charges

 BY IAN CROUCH

The fathers of two of the victims of the tragic Greta bus crash last June will meet with the NSW Attorney General today in a desperate bid to have manslaughter charges reinstated against the driver Brett Button.

News Limited reports Matt Mullen and Adam Bray the fathers of Rebecca Mullen and Zach Bray who died in the in the crash along with 8 others, with plead the case against the Director of Public Prosecutions' decision to withdraw the charges during a plea deal with Mr Button.

They've sought legal advice after an agreed statement of facts signed by Mr Button said he would've been under the influence of the prescribed painkilling opiate Tramadol at the time of the crash to a degree that his driving ability would've been impaired.  

Under the plea deal, 10 charges of manslaughter were withdrawn and substituted with 10 charges of dangerous driving causing death - the lesser charge carrying a maximum gaol term of 10 years, compared to a maximum of 25 years for manslaughter.

Matt Mullen and Adam Bray are pleading for manslaughter charges to be reinstated in the Greta bus crash case.

 

Greta Bus Driver Pleads Guilty, Manslaughter Charges Dropped

 BY JORDAN REGNIS and IAN CROUCH

The man at the centre of last year's Hunter wedding bus crash appeared in Newcastle Local Court (Wednesday 8 May, 2024), where he pleaded guilty to a string of charges.

Brett Button was behind the wheel of the bus transporting wedding guests from a reception, before it rolled at a roundabout in Greta, killing 10 people and injuring 25 others on June 11, 2023.

The 59-year-old pleaded guilty to a total of 25 charges, including 10 counts of driving in a dangerous manner occasioning death, 9 counts of driving in a dangerous manner occasioning grievous bodily harm, along with 16 charges of Wanton Driving causing bodily harm.

He's had 10 charges of manslaughter dismissed and withdrawn, following a plea deal made with the Department of Public Prosecutions.

Inside the court, the bus driver sat with his head bowed and hands clasped together, speaking quietly as he pleaded guilty to each of the 25 charges.

Matt Mullen, whose daughter Rebecca died in the crash, wept when her name was read out in court and again when the manslaughter charges were dismissed.

Mr Button has had his bail revoked and has been remanded in custody to appear in Newcastle District Court via audio visual link on May 30, 2024 where he'll be handed a sentencing date.

Brett Button has pleaded guilty to 25 charges

Bus Safety At The Forefront Following Greta Wedding Crash

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The state government has accepted all 5 recommendations made in a report into the Hunter Valley bus tragedy

In it's report, the Bus Industry Taskforce is recommending seatbelts be installed in school buses servicing regional and outer-metropolitan areas.  

There's no recommendation to fit seatbelts to city buses, because of the number of passengers who stand. 

The report has also prompted a safety campaign to be rolled out across the state from next week, aiming to educate passengers and bus operators about the importance of enforcing seatbelt use. 

Manager of Port Stephens Coaches Adam Saoullis, says he wants drivers and passengers to be on the same page. 

"The thing we find frustrating is, people wouldn't think twice about putting their seatbelt on in a car, but yet on a bus they won't.

When you look up and see people who haven't got their seatbelt on, you can politely ask them, but they look at us sometimes and think 'wow, why is he asking that?'"

Taskforce Chair John Lee, says they're also calling for a bus speed limitation to be investigated by the government moving forward. 

"On some of those motorways, you can do 100km/h, and we're suggesting that the Centre for Road Safety re-examine that. 

Where there are standees on buses, we're saying it should be capped or maximised at 80km/h," Mr. Lee said. 

Image: Busaways

 

 

Public Memorial Service To Be Held In Honour Of Greta Bus Crash Victims

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The state government, in partnership with the Cessnock and Singleton Councils, will hold a public memorial service next month to honour those who lost their lives in the Hunter Valley bus tragedy. 

10 people were killed in the June 11 crash and another 25 were injured.

The memorial will be held at the Singleton Showground on Saturday the 21st of October, from 11:00am.  

A ticket is not required to attend, and the event will be live streamed on the NSW Government website. 

All Hunter residents are invited to attend the service, which is expected to be an important part of a long healing process. 

The government also announced today, the official fundraiser set up by Rotary to support the families of those killed in the crash was closed yesterday, and raised almost $1.5 million.  

Image: Newcastle Herald

One Day Left To Sign Bus Safety Petition

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The families of those killed in the Greta wedding bus crash are asking locals to sign a petition, calling for all buses in Australia to be fitted with seatbelts. 

The petition, launched by the Stop Bus Tragedies Taskforce, has so far garnered more than 6,300 signatures. 

It closes on Thursday the 31st of August, 2023 at 11:59pm. 

The Taskforce has also developed a seven-point plan to improve bus safety across the country, and is in discussion with both the state government, and the Federal Transport Minister. 

A link to the petition can be found on the Stop Bus Tragedies Facebook page. 

Father Of Greta Bus Crash Victim Launches Legal Action Against Linq Buslines

BY OLIVIA DILLON

A man who lost his son in the Hunter Valley bus crash is launching a legal fight against the bus company which owned the vehicle at the heart of the tragedy.

Ten wedding guests were killed and 25 were injured in the disastrous incident at Greta on the 11th of June.

Adam Bray, whose son Zac was killed in the rollover, has now met with lawyers and is launching a class action against Linq Buslines.

He claims the operator failed to meet its obligations under the chain of responsibility laws for heavy vehicle operators.

He's also launched a petition to have a bus safety campaign heard in Parliament.

The driver of the bus, Brett Button, remains before the courts and is facing 62 charges.

Image: Sydney Morning Herald

Greta Bus Driver Facing Additional Charges

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Dozens more charges have been laid against the driver behind the wheel during the Greta wedding bus tragedy.

Prosecutors have revealed 58-year-old Brett Andrew Button will face 63 charges when he appears in Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday.

He's already charged with 10 counts of dangerous driving occasioning death, as well as a back-up charge of negligent driving.

He'll now also face an added 9 counts of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm.

Police and prosecutors have also charged him with 25 counts of misconduct while in charge of a motor vehicle, in relation to the 25 injured survivors of the crash. 

 

Image: Newcastle Herald

 

Almost $2 million promised for Singleton Roosters after Greta bus tragedy

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The State Government has announced $1.7 million to help fund an expansion of the Singleton Roosters clubhouse, weeks after the Greta bus crash claimed the lives of ten people, including several club members.

The investment will be jointly funded alongside $250,000 from the AFL and an undetermined contribution from Singleton Council, in an effort to enhance community and social recovery efforts after the tragedy.

The project will also include a permanent memorial element and a space to remember loved ones.

The expansion of the clubhouse will see new change rooms with shower facilities, storage spaces, umpire areas, a scorers’ box, first-aid room, and female, male, and accessible toilets, as well as internal renovations of the existing building to upgrade the kiosk, kitchen and meeting room.

It's expected the upgrades will benefit the more than 22,000 locals who use the facilities each year and support the development of AFL in the Hunter, including to host regional tournaments.

Premier Chris Minns is set to visit the town on Saturday afternoon, for the men's and women's first games since the tragedy.

Hunter Valley Bus Crash Driver's Records Sought By Prosecutors

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Prosecutors have been granted access to the employment and medical records of the driver of the bus which crashed in Greta last month, killing 10 people. 

58-year-old Brett Andrew Button is charged with 10 counts of dangerous driving occasioning death and was granted strict conditional bail on the 13th of June. 

He has not yet entered pleas. 

The Newcastle Herald reports Mr. Button's next appearance in Newcastle Local Court on the 9th of August will likely determine whether the brief of evidence has been filed. 

Image: Newcastle Herald

Vigil to Take Place Tonight at Branxton After Greta Bus Tragedy

BY JACQUELYN RICHARDS

Members of a heartbroken Hunter community will gather in Branxton tonight for a vigil in honor of the victims and emergency service workers involved in the horrific bus crash at Greta last Sunday. 

Ten lives were claimed in the tragedy and thirteen people remain in hospitals across the Hunter and Sydney. 

Federal Member for Hunter Dan Repacholi says the event is important for those who wish to pay their respects and thank everyone involved in recovery and support efforts. 

"It is an absolute tragedy for the community, and not only the community of the Hunter but a tragedy for Australia," he said. 

"It certainly is important to thank everybody involved in this and whilst we are mourning with this tragic loss, they do an amazing job the first responders and anyone in the services area do amazing things and keep people safe and secure."

The vigil will start at 5:30pm on the grassed area in front of Huntlee's Early Learning Centre on Wine Country Drive.

Community crisis centres are still running at the Singleton Youth Venue and Branxton Community Hall for those in need of disaster relief and counselling.  

Lifeline is also available for support via the crisis support line: 13 11 14. 

 

Sourced: Newcastle Herald website

NSW Premier Announces $100,000 in Funding Support for Families of the Greta Bus Crash Victims

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The state government is donating $100,000 to help people affected by the Greta bus crash. 

The injection will provide benevolent relief and support to survivors, victims, and their immediate families. 

A fundraiser set up by the Singleton Roosters AFL Club in support of affected locals has so far raised more than $120,000. 

Visiting the Hunter today, NSW Premier Chris Minns said the funds from the government will be put into a Rotary Australia-led fund which will support those in the community who have been directly impacted by the tragedy. 

"We will leave it up to Rotary and their governance process to distribute the funds, but we anticipate they will be used for funeral expenses for those who have passed," Mr. Minns said.  

Rotary expects the fund will raise more than $1 million in total. 

The Premier also took the time to thank emergency service staff and the Australian public for their outpouring of support for the Hunter community, and gave an update on those victims still in hospital. 

At this stage nine patients are in a stable condition at the John Hunter Hospital, two are in a stable condition at Singleton Hospital, and two are in a stable condition at the Royal Prince Albert in Sydney. 

Image: Newcastle Herald

UPDATE! Bus Driver Involved in Tragic Crash At Greta Granted Bail

BY IAN CROUCH/ OLIVIA DILLON

UPDATE:

The bus driver accused of causing the deaths of 10 people in a crash at Greta has been granted strict conditional bail.

58-year-old Brett Button has faced court in Cessnock.

Police argued Button should not be given bail based on community expectations, and warned he could be a flight risk.

His solicitor Chris O'Brien said he had a clean criminal record and only a handful of blemishes on his 30-year driving record.

The magistrate showed sympathy, telling the court it's clear Button is suffering with the rest of the community.

Mr. Button has had his license suspended, cannot drink alcohol while on bail, has said he will obey a curfew of 8:00pm to 6:00am, and will report three times a week to police. 

He has not yet entered pleas to his 11 charges.

He will face Newcastle Local Court on the 9th of August. 

EARLIER:

A 58-year-old man is due to face court today over the horrific bus crash at Greta which left 10 people dead and 25 injured.

Brett Andrew Button has been refused bail charged with 11 offences including 10 counts of dangerous driving occasioning death - drive manner dangerous and one count of negligent driving occasioning death.

35 people were on their way home from the wedding of Singleton couple Mitch Gaffney and Maddy Edsell at the Wandin Valley Estate on Sunday night when the bus driver allegedly lost control and crashed on the roundabout of Wine Country Drive and the Hunter Expressway.

Police are yet to formally identify all the victims.

Cessnock Mayor, Jay Suvaal says the community has been rocked by the tragedy.

"The thoughts of our community are with everyone that was involved in this accident, their friends, their loved ones, their family and we just want to make sure they're cared for and have the support now, and also thank our emergency services." he said

Th scene of the crash at Greta. Picture SMH

Meanwhile, Hunter New England Health has set up two drop-in clinics to provide support for family members, friends and loved ones of those who died or were injured in the crash.

The clinics will be staffed by disaster response, senior mental health clinicians and support services.

The first clinic will open at the Singleton Youth Venue at the corner of Bathurst and Pitt Streets at 9 o'clock on Tuesday morning.

The second will open at the Branxton Community Centre on Bowen Street from 10.00am

If you or someone you know needs help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.