– The accident caused horror in Australia: a year ago, ten wedding guests died in a bus accident. The driver was under the influence of a painkiller – and has to spend a long time in prison.
About a year after a devastating bus accident involving a wedding party in Australia that left ten people dead, the bus driver has been sentenced to 32 years in prison. More than two dozen other passengers were injured, some seriously, in the accident in the Hunter Valley in the state of New South Wales in June 2023. The news agency AAP quoted Judge Roy Ellis of the Newcastle District Court as saying that the 59-year-old defendant was clearly impaired by taking a painkiller during the accident and was therefore driving too fast and dangerously.
On June 11, 2023, the bus suddenly fell sideways onto a guardrail near the town of Greta as it exited a roundabout in thick fog. The bus driver himself was only slightly injured. He was arrested and later charged with ten counts of dangerous driving resulting in death and grievous bodily harm. He pleaded guilty to all charges.
Parole is only possible after 24 years
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Just a few hours earlier, the wedding couple, who were not on the bus themselves, had been celebrating with their guests at a winery. The Hunter Valley, north of Sydney, is one of Australia’s most famous wine regions and is very popular as a celebration and wedding location. The accident has sparked a debate about whether wearing seatbelts on buses in Australia should become compulsory.
When handing down the verdict, Judge Ellis stressed that in his more than 50 years in the justice system, he was not aware of any other case that had such a devastating impact on so many people. The bus driver had seriously breached his duty of care towards his passengers and had failed to meet his responsibilities. The convicted man can only apply for parole after serving 24 years in prison.
He admitted in court that he had taken more than the prescribed amount of a painkiller. “I’m ashamed,” he said. “I can’t forgive myself. I can’t believe I caused this.” The driver went on to say that he had committed the “ultimate sin.” “I hate myself. I want to disappear.”
What were the circumstances surrounding the devastating bus accident in the Hunter Valley, Australia, that resulted in the loss of 10 wedding guests’ lives?
Devastating Bus Accident in Australia: A Year of Remembering the Tragic Loss of 10 Wedding Guests
It’s been a year since a devastating bus accident in Australia claimed the lives of 10 wedding guests, leaving a nation in shock and mourning. On June 11, 2023, a bus carrying wedding guests crashed at a roundabout in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales, resulting in one of the country’s worst bus accidents in recent history [[1]].
The bus, carrying over two dozen passengers, suddenly fell sideways onto a guardrail near the town of Greta, exiting a roundabout in thick fog [[3]]. The accident occurred just a few hours after the wedding couple, who were not on the bus themselves, had been celebrating with their guests at a winery in the region [[3]]. The Hunter Valley, known for its picturesque scenery and wine production, is a popular destination for weddings and celebrations.
Tragically, 10 people lost their lives in the accident, with more than two dozen others injured, some seriously [[3]]. The bus driver, 59, was arrested and later charged with 10 counts of dangerous driving resulting in death and grievous bodily harm [[1]]. He pleaded guilty to all charges.
The investigation revealed that the bus driver was under the influence of a painkiller at the time of the accident, which impaired his ability to drive safely [[1]]. Judge Roy Ellis of the Newcastle District Court described the defendant as driving too fast and dangerously, leading to the devastating consequences.
In a landmark ruling, the bus driver was sentenced to 32 years in prison, with parole possible only after 24 years [[3]]. Judge Ellis highlighted that in his more than 50 years in the justice system, he was not aware of any other case that had such a devastating impact on so many people.
The accident has sparked a debate about the need for compulsory seatbelts on buses in Australia, a measure that could potentially prevent such tragic incidents in the future.
In a separate incident, three women were killed, and several others injured in a bus crash in the Whitsunday region of Queensland in June 2024 [[2]]. While the circumstances of this accident differ, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of road safety and responsible driving practices.
As Australia remembers the victims of the Hunter Valley bus accident, we are reminded of the importance of prioritizing safety on our roads and the devastating consequences of reckless behavior behind the wheel.
References:
<a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/least-10-people-killed-bus-accident-australia-2023
Hunter Valley bus crash how did they die
Devastating Bus Accident in Australia: Driver Jailed for 32 Years
A year ago, a tragic bus accident in Australia’s Hunter Valley claimed the lives of ten wedding guests and left more than two dozen others injured. The bus driver, Brett Button, has been sentenced to 32 years in prison for his role in the devastating incident. The accident has sparked a debate about road safety and the need for stricter regulations on bus transportation in Australia.
The Accident
On June 11, 2023, the bus carrying wedding guests suddenly fell sideways onto a guardrail near the town of Greta as it exited a roundabout in thick fog. The bus driver himself was only slightly injured, but the accident resulted in the deaths of ten people and injuries to 25 others [1[1]. The accident was one of Australia’s deadliest road incidents, and it shocked the nation.
The Driver’s Sentence
After a three-day sentencing hearing, Judge Roy Ellis of the Newcastle District Court sentenced Brett Button to 32 years in prison. Button, 59, pleaded guilty to ten counts of dangerous driving resulting in death and grievous bodily harm. The judge described Button’s actions as “grossly negligent” and said that he was clearly impaired by taking a painkiller
