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
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
‘We made them safer and more fun’: Here’s what’s new about e-scooters
Electric scooters (e-scooters) have been gaining popularity in the capital and this season comes with some changes and updates.
The kids from 'Mrs. Doubtfire' are all SUPER grown up now, and we're not OK
The adorable trio of child actors from the 1993 classic comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' which starred the late and great Robin Williams, are all grown up and looking back on their seminal time together.
Premier Legault reiterates that McGill pro-Palestinian camp must be dismantled
Quebec Premier François Legault reiterated that the pro-Palestinian encampment at McGill University must be dismantled while police remain 'on the lookout for new developments.'
Canadian Auger-Aliassime reaches first Masters final in Madrid with another walkover
Montreal's Felix Auger-Aliassime has advanced to his first ATP Masters final, and he hasn't had to play all that much tennis to do it.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
The UN warns Sudan's warring parties that Darfur risks starvation and death if aid isn't allowed in
The United Nations food agency warned Sudan's warring parties Friday that there is a serious risk of widespread starvation and death in Darfur and elsewhere in Sudan if they don't allow humanitarian aid into the vast western region.
Two killed after collision with truck on Hwy. 417 near Limoges, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police say two people were killed after a car and a transport truck collided in the westbound lanes of Highway 417 near Limoges, Ont. on Tuesday afternoon.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.