Live Nation Canada Charged in Radiohead Stage Collapse
The Ontario Ministry of Labor has brought charges against Live Nation Canada, as well as a staging company and an engineer, over the fatal stage collapse at a Radiohead concert in Toronto last summer.
The Toronto Star reports that the ministry announced 13 charges on Friday under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Eight of the charges were filed against the concert’s promoter, Live Nation Canada, and Live Nation Ontario Concerts GP. The ministry said that Live Nation “failed to ensure the structure was designed and constructed to support or resist all likely loads and forces, it was adequately braced, there were no excessive loads and every employer complied with the act,” according to The Star.
Questions Linger After Radiohead Stage Collapse
Four of the remaining charges were brought against Toronto-based Optex Staging and Services, and one was brought against an individual engineer.
Drum technician Scott Johnson was killed when a scaffolding structure collapsed onto the main stage area at Toronto’s Downsview Park, hours before Radiohead was scheduled to play on June 16th, 2012. Three others were injured in the collapse.
In a statement published by the Hollywood Reporter, Live Nation said that it disagreed with the charges and would “vigorously defend” itself.
“We absolutely maintain that Live Nation and our employees did everything possible to ensure the safety of anyone who was on or near the stage involved in the tragic incident that led to the unfortunate death of Mr. Scott Johnson,” the statement said. A trial is expected to begin on June 27th.