Multiple harrowing victim impact statements have been heard in court over the past two days as the man who caused the Hunter Valley bus crash prepares to enter the witness box himself.
Brett Button, 59, was behind the wheel of a coach carrying 35 people from a winery wedding back to their accommodation in Singleton — about a 35-minute trip — when it rolled on Wine Country Dr near the Hunter Expressway off-ramp at Greta, on June 11, 2023.
The 57-seat bus then slammed into a guard rail.
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One survivor, who demanded Button stop bowing his head and look his victims’ families in the eyes, recalled the driver having his hands in his pockets at the crash scene.
“I had my shirt covering one of my best mate’s heads as he was bleeding to death,” Drew El Moussalli said.
“My recurring nightmares are a dark reminder of you.
“I get flashbacks of you showing no remorse or care. I regularly get woken up thinking I’m trapped in your bus of hell.”
Meanwhile, Jennifer Warren said Button was driving recklessly and showing off before the bus tipped over at a roundabout.
“The bus driver was … choosing to ignore the yelling and pleading of the passengers asking him to slow down,” Warren told the court.
“Not only did he ignore the pleas, but it felt as though he was accelerating as we approached the roundabout.”
Button, who has apologised through the media, is expected to give evidence for the first time on Wednesday in Newcastle District Court ahead of his scheduled sentencing.
It was earlier heard Button took the roundabout on Wine Country Drive at Greta too fast, telling some passengers “this next part is going to be fun” moments before the fatal smash.
He pleaded guilty to 10 charges of dangerous driving causing death, nine counts of dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm and 16 counts of causing bodily harm by wanton driving.
– With AAP