Brett Button, 58, was driving 35 guests from the ‘fairytale wedding’ of Mitchell and Maddy Gaffney (Picture: Getty)
Survivors of Australia’s deadliest road crash in nearly 30 years told police the driver made a chilling comment before losing control.
Brett Button, 58, was driving 35 guests from the ‘fairytale wedding’ of Mitchell and Maddy Gaffney at the Wandin Estate Winery to the Singleton, both in New South Wales, late on Sunday.
The journey, which should only have taken around 30 minutes, ended in tragedy when the vehicle flipped over at a roundabout, killing 10 of those on board and injuring the other 25.
Moments before leaving the road, Mr Burton is said to have told passengers over the microphone: ‘If you think that was fast – watch this.’
He has been charged with 10 counts of dangerous driving in relation to each death and one of negligent driving.
Acting police assistant commissioner David Waddell told reporters Mr Button ‘entered that roundabout driving in a manner that was inconsistent with the conditions’.
‘Obviously, the speed was too quick for him to negotiate that roundabout, causing the vehicle to fall onto its left side and cause those injuries,’ he added.
The bus overturned partway through the short journey from the venue
The bus carrying wedding guests rolled over on a foggy night in Australia’s wine country (Picture: AP)
The crash killed at least 10 and left some 25 people injured on Sunday night (Picture: Getty)
Mr Waddell said that 14 of the 25 passengers taken to hospital are still there, with two of those in intensive care in a critical but stable condition.
Police said the driver underwent mandatory blood and urine testing for drugs and alcohol on Sunday night, but no impairment was detected.
During a short bail hearing prosecutors argued against Mr Button’s release from custody, citing police statements from 10 passengers about his ‘prolonged behaviour’ before the crash.
