Bus driver loses appeal over deadly Hunter Valley crash
Brett Button will stay behind bars until at least 2048, after losing an appeal over the length of his prison term, following one of Australia’s deadliest bus crashes.
Button was behind the wheel of a coach and was under the influence of the painkiller tramadol, when his bus tipped at a roundabout in Greta in the Hunter Valley in 2023. 10-people lost their lives while 25 others were injured.
He was jailed for 32-years with a non parole period of 24-years, but the 60-year-old lodged an appeal arguing the sentence was unjust and unfair, and that the sentencing Judge erred by finding Button knew he was under the influence of the painkiller.
Today the Court of Criminal Appeal dismissed the appeal, meaning Button will have to serve the remainder of his sentence.
