No criminal charges will be laid in deadly Columbia Icefield crash: Alberta RCMP
Posted December 9, 2022 10:32 am.
Last Updated December 9, 2022 12:52 pm.
Alberta RCMP says no criminal charges will be laid in a deadly tour bus crash at the Columbia Icefield in Jasper National Park more than two years ago.
Three people were killed and 14 others suffered life-threatening injuries after the Ice Explorer tour bus lost control on the road to the Athabasca Glacier, about 100 kilometres southeast of Jasper, Alta., and rolled over on July 18, 2020.
Brewster Inc., the operator of the tour bus, was charged in May 2022 under the provincial Occupational Health and Safety Act related to the use and maintenance of seatbelts, failing to control hazards, and failing to ensure equipment was in safe operating condition.
“While the RCMP is aware of the charges resulting from the regulatory investigation, the criminal standard is high and the criminal investigation is independent, separate and parallel to the OH&S investigation. Upon consultation with the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service, the RCMP have determined that no criminal charges are warranted in this investigation. This determination brings the RCMP’s criminal investigation to a close,” RCMP said in a statement.
The bus with 27 people on board rolled about 50 metres down a moraine embankment before coming to rest on its roof.
Tours of the Icefield resumed last year. The tour bus operator said seatbelts had been added to the buses, and changes to driver training and road maintenance had been made.
RCMP add no further details can be shared at this time.
