2023-06-13 02:05:11
The bus driver, whose crash killed 10 wedding guests north of Sydney, was released on bail on Tuesday after appearing in an Australian court on charges of dangerous or negligent driving likely to result in the dead.
• Read also: Bus accident leaves 10 dead and many injured in Australia
Brett Andrew Button, 58, appeared in court in Cessnock (south-east) on Tuesday with his eyes glued to the ground and his head bowed to magistrate Robyn Richardson.
“I see here in front of me a man who is suffering,” said Ms. Richardson, who granted him bail with a ban on approaching prosecution witnesses and driving a vehicle.
“I am concerned for the well-being of Mr. Button,” she insisted.
Australian police blame the bus driver for driving “too fast” through the foggy night shortly before midnight on Sunday.
The coach was carrying 35 passengers when it overturned at the entrance to a large roundabout, lying on its left side. He was returning from a property in the Hunter wine region (southeast), where the wedding had taken place.
Ten people have died and 14 guests remain in hospital, including one in intensive care.
An initial blood alcohol test yielded a negative result, police said, who pointed to “erratic” speeding that passengers allegedly complained about before the accident.
“We have obviously charged this 58-year-old bus driver,” said acting deputy police chief David Waddell, adding that Mr Button was the subject of 11 charges.
“He entered this roundabout in a way that was not adapted” to the situation, added the policeman, according to whom “the speed (of the coach) was too high to take the roundabout. point”.
It is Australia’s deadliest road accident in 16 years. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese sent his condolences to the loved ones of those killed and said on social media: ‘It is cruel that a day of joy should end with such a heartbreaking loss. Our thoughts are also with those who were injured.”
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