No criminal charges to be laid in fatal July 2020 rollover on Columbia Icefield: RCMP
No criminal charges will be laid in connection to the rollover of an icefield tour bus in the Rocky Mountains which killed three passengers and injured 14 others.
RCMP on Friday announced they and crown prosecutors found "no criminal charges are warranted" in the July 2020 crash on Alberta's Athabasca Glacier.
"They conducted quite a very thorough investigation of that scene, taking witness statements and measurements of the scene itself. Ultimately, the Ice Explorer itself was seized and examined. It was a very involved multifaceted investigation," media officer Cpl. Troy Savinkoff explained in an interview.
Mounties concluded their investigation earlier in 2022 and have been reviewing evidence since then.
"Once all that evidence was obtained, the RCMP investigators coordinated with the Alberta crown prosecutors office and went through all the evidence presented with the ultimate question: Is there a criminal offence that has occurred here that we can prosecute?
"Ultimately, the decision was made that there wasn't enough evidence in order to lay criminal charges."
RCMP attend the scene of a sightseeing bus rollover at the Columbia Icefields near Jasper, Alta., Sunday, July 19, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
OH&S CHARGES
Police investigated separately from Occupational Health and Safety, although the two agencies shared evidence, Savinkoff said.
In May, the Alberta government announced eight charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Act against tour company Brewster Inc. Three of the charges are failing to ensure the health and safety of passengers by not controlling the hazard of the "slope of the lateral moraine." Lateral moraines are piles of rock and debris which form on the sides of glaciers.
Other charges were related to equipment maintenance and failing to mandate seat belt rules amongst employees.
Savinkoff could not comment on what would come of the regulatory charges.
The company is expected to enter a plea for them on Dec. 22 in Jasper provincial court.
- Brewster Inc. faces 8 provincial charges after fatal Columbia Icefield rollover
- Prosecutors have report on fatal Icefield bus rollover after RCMP complete investigation
PANDEMIC, COMPLEXITY BEHIND DELAY
Savinkoff acknowledged the investigation that took two years was somewhat unusually long.
The pandemic was partially to blame, Savinkoff told CTV News Edmonton, but so was the case's complexity.
"You want to make sure you do it correct [sic] because it's a very important investigation."
Several lawsuits have also been launched in connection to the incident.
- Class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of passengers in fatal Icefield bus crash
- Lawsuit by survivors of fatal Alta. icefield rollover totals $17M
- Lawsuits linked to deadly Columbia Icefield crash name Parks Canada among defendants
Mounties say they shared all of their investigative material with the labour ministry, as required under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Columbia Icefield tours resumed in 2021 with new safety features and protocols.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Adam Lachacz and CTV News Calgary's Michael Franklin
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.