Almost a year after the Toronto stage collapse that killed Radiohead drum technician Scott Johnson and injured 3 others, charges have been laid against promoter Live Nation, as well as a staging company and an individual engineer.
The tragedy took place at Toronto’s Downsview Park, with a part of the stage caving in during final preparations for Radiohead’s show that evening. The British indie giants cancelled that show and the rest of their North American tour as a result.
The Ontario Ministry of Labour has announced the charges against the parties, claiming they 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 Toronto Star.
Live Nation deny any responsibility for the accident, releasing a statement saying “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. We will vigorously defend ourselves and we are confident that through this process the facts will come to light and we will be exonerated.”
A court hearing is set for 27th June.
