Trial Postponed in Case Involving Alberta Stage Collapse

There's been an adjournment in the case against three companies charged in the 2009 fatal stage collapse at a popular annual country music festival near Camrose, Alta.

 

 

According to a report from The Canadian Press, Panhandle Productions, Global Production Company and a numbered Alberta company have been named in the case. (WCxKit)

 

 

A total of 33 charges were laid against the companies after a powerful windstorm swept through the area during the Big Valley Jamboree in the summer of 2009, causing the main stage to collapse.

 

 

More than a dozen people were injured and Donna Moore, a woman from Lloydminster, Alta., was killed.

 

 

In August, the Crown prosecutor and a lawyer said an adjournment would allow them time to work through the massive amount of information related to the case.

 

 

A pre-trial conference has also been requested, to find out if the matter needs to go to trial.

 

 

Alberta Occupational Health and Safety is sharing information from this case with other jurisdictions that have seen similar stage collapses recently.

 

 

Six people died in August when the stage collapsed at a Sugarland concert in Indianapolis; five died in Belgium when a storm swept in and toppled the stage at the Pukkelpop Festival; and several people were injured when the stage went down at Bluesfest in Ottawa in July.

 

 

Each of the charges carries a maximum fine of $500,000 and possible jail time. (WCxKit)