He killed 10 of our loved ones while driving on an opioid painkiller. This is why we’re forgiving him and not holding onto any more anger

A wedding guest who survived the NSW Hunter Valley bus crash that killed 10 people and injured 25 others has broken her silence to forgive the bus driver.

Brett Button, 59, was driving guests from a wedding reception at Wandin Valley Estate, two hours north of Sydney, back to Singleton on June 11, 2023, when the bus flipped at a roundabout at Greta. 

Passengers who died in the crash included Andrew Scott, 35, his wife Lynan, 33, Nadene McBride, 52, her daughter Kyah, 22, Kane Symons, 21, Darcy Bulman, 30, Rebecca Mullen, 26, Zachary Bray, 29, Tori Cowburn, 29, and Angus Craig, 28.

Button pleaded guilty to 10 counts of dangerous driving causing death and 43 other charges after it was revealed he was driving under the influence of an opioid painkiller (Tramadol) addiction.

Among the passengers seriously injured was Sharyn Junkeer, who travelled up from Melbourne with her husband Jason, brother Laurie and sister-in-law Emma.

This week, the family has spoken publicly for the first time about the crash and revealed they have forgiven Button.

‘I do have a sense of forgiveness towards Brett Button,’ she told ABC’s Australian Story.

‘To just hold on to this anger and hatred towards him, it was really unhelpful to me and my healing. I don’t think I could go through this without my faith. That has kind of held me together.’

Mr Junkeer added: ‘If it weren’t for our marriage and the alignment, there would have been a lot of disconnect.

‘I think that has been fundamental for us to move to forgiveness.’

The couple travelled to Newcastle District Court for Button’s trial.

Mr Junkeer, who has been unable to work since the crash, said he felt mixed reactions about the day Button was sentenced. 

‘On the one hand, it was relief that the court had recognised that this was a major event,’ he said.

‘But at the same time, we came away thinking it felt like another life had been taken.

‘I could see in court that Brett was in pain as well, so that was difficult to watch that and watch his family go through it.’  

Matt and Leanne Mullen, who lost their daughter Rebecca, a junior doctor, also expressed compassion for Button’s family, particularly his daughter who was by his side during the trial.  

‘I guess it’s because she was a daughter, like Rebecca,’ Mr Mullen said as he fought back tears.

His wife added: ‘And she loved her dad. She turned up for her dad and she was there to support him.

‘One feeling I had, though, was that he shouldn’t be the only one.

‘Sentencing Brett for all those years was a beginning of accountability. But it doesn’t end with Brett Button.’

The Junkeers and Mullens continue to push for national reform in the bus industry, along with renewed calls for an inquest into the crash.

‘I know that Bec would have fought with everything she had to bring about justice and change,’ Ms Mullen said.

‘So, for me, I think it’s really important that we now move to a coronial inquiry to ask the questions that need to be asked.’

Mr Junkeer said: ‘We’ve got to keep pushing for these people who aren’t around anymore, and for the families who are going through this pain.

‘What I can do in my control is help put energy and the spotlight on the right areas so that it doesn’t happen again.’

Button had appealed against the sentence in October 2025 after he was ordered to serve 32 years in prison with a 24-year non-parole period, arguing it was manifestly excessive.

But the panel of judges ruled the case did not meet the grounds for appeal. 

The revelations from the families come as Linq Buslines collapsed after creditors resolved to wind up the bus company and its associated entities.

The company had an estimated $265,000 in assets and hundreds of thousands of dollars more in liabilities, according to an ASIC report released this week.

The report also noted $650,170 in fines issued to the company, along with a yet-to-be-determined ‘court action’ sum allegedly owed to the newlyweds who had booked the bus to take their guests back to Singleton that night, The Daily Telegraph reported.

Mitchell Gaffney has launched NSW District Court action against Linq Buslines for an unknown amount.

The matter has been listed for mention in court this Friday.