Hunter bus crash: Driver Brett Button gets bail over wedding smash that killed ... trends now
The driver of a bus full of wedding guests which rolled at a roundabout, killing 10 and injuring 25, has been granted bail.
Brett Andrew Button, 58, was charged with 11 offences, including ten counts of dangerous driving occasioning death, over the tragic smash in the NSW Hunter Valley on Sunday.
He appeared in handcuffs at Cessnock Local Court on Tuesday morning, where a prosecutor strongly opposed bail as it would 'go against community standards'.
The prosecutor told the court there was a strong prosecution case, and said witnesses had given evidence of 'prolonged' concerning driving behaviour, and had reported 'fastening their seatbelts'.
She said more charges were likely, claiming there was a custodial sentence if Button is found guilty, and raised concerns he could interfere with witnesses if granted bail.
But bail was granted after Button's lawyer said he has 'strong ties to the community and a number of medical conditions'.
He said Button has lived an 'exemplary existence' and is respected in the community.
He argued there would be six-month delay and bail conditions would mitigate the risks presented by the prosecution.
Magistrate Robyn Richardson described the charges as 'most serious' and said that while the biggest concern was Button failing to appear in court, bail should not be treated as a way to punish individuals before their sentence is determined.
'Mr Button has sat here head bowed and it is clear he suffers,' she said.
'I do have concerns for his well-being and mental health and the onerous conditions that would be opposed on him in a custodial environment.'
She granted him a suppression order on his address, and imposed bail conditions including a 8am-6pm home curfew, and requirements to report to police 3 days a week, surrender his passport, and not drive.
The court also heard Button has seven driving offences over 30 years but no criminal record.
There were tense scenes outside court as Button's family pushed past reporters after letting out a collective and audible sigh of relief when bail was granted.
Button's court appearance came as Victorian woman Darcy Bulman was identified as the 10th wedding guest killed in the crash.
She attended the wedding at the the Wandin Valley Estate with her partner, whose condition is unknown.
Survivors of a horror bus crash that killed 10 wedding guests have reportedly told police an alleged boast made by the driver just moments before he lost control
Madeleine Edsell and Mitchell Gaffney tied the knot at Wandin Valley Estate in the Hunter Valley on Sunday afternoon
Darcy Bulman was identified as the 10th victim of the Hunter Valley wedding bus crash
Survivors claimed Button made a chilling boast to those on board just moments before he allegedly lost control of the vehicle.
Flowers now mark the spot where the coach, carrying 35 guests, crashed at a roundabout just 10km into its journey at about 11.30pm on Sunday.
Button allegedly told passengers 'if you think that was fast... watch this' over the vehicle's internal microphone before the bus rolled near the Hunter Expressway off-ramp at Greta, 183km north of Sydney.
Passengers are understood to have expressed concern at the speed the bus was travelling and urged others to remain in their seats for safety, the Daily Telegraph reported.
Button was on Monday charged with 11 offences, including ten counts of dangerous driving
