Brett After being granted bail earlier today, Andrew Button, the driver of the bus that crashed in the Hunter Valley and killed 10, has just been let go.
Button, 58, made a brief appearance in Cessnock Local Court this morning. After noting that the prosecution’s case against him on all 10 counts of reckless driving that resulted in death was compelling, the magistrate placed strict bail conditions on him.
In a black hoodie and with a Coles grocery bag, he was observed leaving Cessnock Police Station.
He walked into the waiting automobile while being swarmed by the reporters.
Button, who resides in Maitland, has ties to the community and acknowledged his personal distress, according to Magistrate Robyn Richardson.
Button’s driver’s license has been suspended by the police, and curfew restrictions have been put in place.
Richardson recognized that she saw a guy who was in pain before her in the crowded courtroom and that this would be a protracted and sensitive case.
She emphasized the unfathomable suffering that the friends and families of those deceased are now through while stating that Button’s family will also be struggling.
Button’s attorney claimed that his client suffered from a number of medical issues in order to support bail and Button’s release.
In August, he is expected back in court.
Acting Assistant Commissioner David Waddell stated in a statement prior to the granting of bail that police would claim Button was driving “too quickly” at the time the bus reached the roundabout, which caused it to roll.
According to Waddell, “He entered that roundabout driving in a manner that was inconsistent with the conditions.”
The vehicle rolled onto its left side and caused those injuries because the driver’s speed was too high for him to maneuver through the roundabout.
Many police were “visibly distraught” after investigating the bus on the scene, according to Waddell.
That evening, there were reports of severe fog in the area, although Waddell would not say whether it affected visibility significantly.
The probe would include a full examination of the conditions, according to Waddell.
It will therefore be about the driver’s driving style in light of the circumstances.
Ten counts of risky driving and one count of careless driving are each brought against Button.
After the bus was taken out of the roundabout last night, investigators will examine its mechanical condition today.
The accident site is still closed off and fenced off.
Ten persons were killed in the bus accident in the Hunter Valley.
Waddell gave a general overview of what happened after the bus left the Wandin Estate Winery, in Greta, some 40 km northwest of Newcastle, this morning.
Button was operating the big white bus south on Wine Country Drive around 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, according to him.
Following the wedding of newlyweds Mitchell Gaffney and Maddy Edsell, who were raised in Melbourne before relocating to NSW, the bus was transporting guests.
According to authorities, there were 37 persons on board, with ages ranging from 20s to 60s.
Button allegedly lost control of the bus as it entered a roundabout to turn west onto the Hunter Expressway, causing it to tumble onto its left side and strike a guardrail, according to Waddell.
At the collision site, nine individuals perished, while one person later passed away in the hospital.
It was a highly tumultuous scene, according to Waddell.
25 persons were sent directly to the hospital with a variety of wounds. 14 patients remain in the hospital, including two in intensive care.
The ICU patients were deemed “critical but stable” by Waddell.
He claimed that police have spoken with some of the survivors.
After being detained and being taken to the hospital for blood and urine tests, Button was found to be free of any significant injuries.
He was returned to the Cessnock Police Station, charged, and detained there all night.
