OPINION: Where is the justice for families of the Hunter Valley bus tragedy?

As a long-time journalist, you tend to become desensitized to “bad news” stories as each year – or decade – passes.

But then an incident occurs that affects you on a personal level.

For me, it was the Hunter Valley bus tragedy, which devastated – and continues to devastate – the local community.

On that fateful night, Sunday, June 11, 2023, 10 people were killed and countless others were injured when a man, Brett Button, lost control of the vehicle he was driving at the roundabout on Wine Country Drive near Greta.

They all come back from an afternoon/evening full of happiness as guests at a wedding.

They knew little of what was to come.

However, we lost mother and daughter Nadene and Kyah McBride, husband and wife Andrew and Lynan Scott, Kane Symons, Rebecca Mullen, Darcy Bulman, Zach Bray, Tori Cowburn and Angus Craig.

In particular, I knew five of the victims from my time as an Upper Hunter editor at ACM.

The McBrides, Andrew Scott, Rebecca Mullen and Tori Cowburn were beyond brilliant when I covered the Singleton Roosters AFL club.

Nothing was too much for them and as a result the organization received plenty of attention.

Sometimes I even ran into Nadene and Tori on my walks through Rose Point Park.

Always smiling, always polite and always willing to talk about the mighty roosters.

Andrew also cared for my mother after a hip replacement.

So I am aware firsthand of the impact their deaths have had on everyone.

But it is probably nothing compared to what they are going through today after learning that the DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions) had made a deal to drop the ten manslaughter charges against “cowardly” Button.

This allowed the 59-year-old to enter guilty pleas to the lesser offense of dangerous driving causing death.

Are you joking?

This man, who from every report should not have gotten behind the wheel, has destroyed countless families in a split second.

According to eyewitnesses, the scene of the accident was gruesome and resembled a ‘war zone’ as one lucky survivor described it.

First responders needed advice, as did residents in Singleton and neighboring Cessnock.

So where is the justice for those affected – and traumatized – by Button’s actions?

How must the families of Nadene, Kyah, Andrew, Lynan, Kane, Rebecca, Darcy, Zach, Tori and Angus feel?

Completely let down – and desperate – by the justice system is the answer that immediately comes to mind.

The button will then appear in court when a sentencing date has been set.

You can only hope that he gets his deserved dessert.

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