TORONTO – Closing arguments have begun at a coroner’s inquest into the death of a drum technician who was crushed when a stage collapsed before a Radiohead show in Toronto.
The coroner’s counsel is presenting a list of proposed recommendations for jurors to consider including in their report on the case.
They include creating a permanent working group on construction for live entertainment, amendments to the building code and having the engineering professional body issue clear guidelines on temporary structures.
The inquest has heard the plans for the stage were riddled with mistakes, the wrong building components were used in key areas and the construction was running behind schedule.
Scott Johnson was killed when the stage roof came crashing down hours before the band was set to play at Toronto’s Downsview Park on June 16, 2012.
Charges were laid under the Occupational Health and Safety Act but were later stayed because the matter took too long to get to trial.
The inquest is meant to examine the circumstances surrounding Johnson’s death but cannot assign blame, though jurors may issue recommendations aimed at preventing such incidents in the future.
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