Trial over the Downsview stage collapse opens in Toronto

The trial over the stage collapse at Downsview Park that killed Scott Johnson, Radiohead's drum technician, is under way in Toronto. Live Nation Canada, Live Nation Ontario and Optex Staging and Services face four charges each under Ontario's Occupational Health and Safety Act. The engineer Domenic Cugliari faces one, of endangering a worker by negligence. All four have pleaded not guilty.

Ken Johnson, Scott's father, plans to stay in Canada for as long as the trial lasts. Scott was our only boy so this was quite devastating, really¹, he said. He wants to plant a maple at Downsview Park in his son's memory, because it is one of the best trees for making drums¹.

Scott Johnson, 33, from Doncaster, was killed on 16 June 2012 when the stage roof came down during setup, hours before Radiohead's sold-out show, the last night of their North American tour. Three others were hurt, and the show was cancelled. The Ontario Ministry of Labour laid the charges in June 2013.

Adrian Bullocks, Radiohead's manager, has given evidence. No one's manning up and saying, 'Look, it's our responsibility and we share responsibility'¹, he said.