Fatal bus crash after dream wedding – bus driver sentenced to decades in prison

“My family tree was cut down”

Wedding party dies in bus crash – driver faces long prison sentence

11 September 2024 Uh 15:55 Clock

Parole is only possible after 24 years

Only a few minutes after starting the journey from a wedding at a winery, the devastating accident occurs. Near the small town of Greta in New South Wales, the fully occupied bus carrying the wedding guests overturns – a fatal accident in the roundabout that claims the lives of ten people and injures 25 others. The only one who remains almost unharmed is the driver, Brett B. Now a court has convicted him of ten counts of dangerous driving resulting in death and of grievous bodily harm. Brett B. will be sent to prison for 32 years.

According to the prosecution, bus driver Brett B. had taken large amounts of Tramadol on the day of the accident to relieve his chronic pain. This is a powerful drug that can cause drowsiness, difficulty concentrating and poor eyesight. The 58-year-old, however, said he did not know he was affected. But in court, numerous passengers testified that they were horrified by his erratic driving. Some even forcefully ordered B. to drive more slowly.

When announcing the verdict, Judge Ellis emphasized that in his more than 50 years in the justice system, he was not aware of any other case that had such a devastating impact on so many people. The bus driver had seriously breached his duty of care to his passengers and had failed to meet his responsibilities. Brett B. cannot apply for parole until he has served 24 years in prison.

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