The father of the groom whose Hunter Valley wedding ended in the death of 10 guests in a tragic bus crash has spoken out about a change in seat belt laws.
25 people were left injured following the tragic accident, which took place at the Wandin Estate Winery in Lovedale, Hunter Valley, Australia, on 11 June 2023.
The incident took place just hours after groom Mitchell Gaffney and bride Madeleine Edsell said their 'I Dos', with the trip back to the accommodation ending in disaster.
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In foggy conditions, a coach that was believed to be carrying about 40 guests rolled on a roundabout near the Hunter Expressway at Greta, New South Wales. 10 people died as a result of the crash.
At the time, police assistant commissioner Tracy Chapman said that the 58-year-old driver, named Brett Button, was being held at a police station, and was set to be arrested and charged.
52 fresh charges were brought to Button weeks later, including dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and causing bodily harm by misconduct, with most of them relating to the guests who were injured.
Police alleged that Button was driving too quickly and lost control after telling passengers to 'fasten your seatbelts'.
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In the aftermath, John Gaffney, Mitchell's father, called for a change in seat belt laws.
Speaking on a post on LinkedIn, he called for a change so passengers would be 'compelled by laws to wear them'.
He went on: "Hopefully something positive can come out of this tragedy. 50 years ago the fitting and wearing of seat belts became compulsory in Australia for all occupants of motor cars saving countless lives since."
Seat belts are mandatory in New South Wales, and while everyone on board a bus is required to wear a seat belt if one is present, it is not the driver's responsibility to ensure they are used.
“Whilst my wife and I can’t do this on our own we believe ultimately everyone who rides a bus should have access to a seatbelt and be compelled by laws to wear them," Gaffney went on.
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He then called for help from political figures, adding: “If a federal government petition could be set up that would be most appreciated.”
The mother of the groom, Carolyn Gaffney, echoed these sentiments on Facebook, and hoped that 'something good' can come out of this, hoping that higher ups make the right moves to change the law for good.
New South Wales premier Chris Minns has said that over half a million Australian dollars had been donated to help the victim's families, while Victoria premier Daniel Andrews announced he would donate up to $580,000AUD to the family members of Bulman.
Button was sentenced to 32 years behind bars for the crime in September 2024, and was in the midst of a prescription opioid dependency.
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He was found to be driving too fast, and though he was first charged with manslaughter, he instead pleaded guilty to a number of dangerous driving offences after taking a prosecution deal, reported the BBC.
Joshua Nair