No criminal charges to be laid in fatal Columbia Icefield tour bus crash in Jasper National Park

More than two years after three people were killed when a tour bus overturned in Jasper National Park, the RCMP has concluded its investigation and said no criminal charges will be laid.

There were 27 people on board the Columbia Icefield tour bus in July 2020 when it rolled about 50 meters down a moraine embankment before coming to rest on its roof.

Three people were killed and 14 others suffered life-threatening injuries when the red-and-white, all-terrain Ice Explorer lost control while carrying passengers en route to the Athabasca Glacier.

Jasper RCMP said in a news release Friday morning that they have completed their investigation into the July 18, 2020 incident.

“The RCMP shared all requested investigative materials collected during the criminal investigation with the Ministry of Labor as required by the Alberta OH&S Act,” the news release said.

“While the RCMP is aware of the charges arising from the regulatory investigation, the criminal standard is high and the criminal investigation is independent, separate and parallel to the OH&S investigation.

“After consultation with the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service, the RCMP has determined that no criminal charges are warranted in this investigation. This determination brings the RCMP’s criminal investigation to a close.”

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Tour bus operator charged in fatal Columbia Icefield rollover

The RCMP said the investigation was “of the utmost seriousness and was complex, both factually and legally.”

“Our thoughts continue to go out to the families of the deceased and the injured, and to all those affected by this tragedy.”

The tour bus company involved in the fatal rollover, Brewster Inc., was charged earlier this year under the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Act. The company was charged with eight charges related to failure to control the hazard of the degree of slope of the lateral moraines, failure to use safety belts, failure to maintain safety belts and failure to monitor the safety of equipment don’t go

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