Brake failure caused fatal Jasper National Park bus rollover

A fatality inquiry report has concluded that a catastrophic brake failure and neglected repairs caused a deadly tour bus rollover at the Columbia Icefield in Jasper National Park in July 2020. The Ice Explorer bus lost control on a road leading to the Athabasca Glacier, tumbling approximately 50 metres down an embankment. The accident resulted in three deaths and 14 serious injuries.

Justice Vaughn Myers stated in his 13-page report that the brakes failed because they were worn, improperly inspected, and existing concerns regarding their function were not addressed. The report noted that the bus was in neutral when it stopped at the top of a hill before reaching speeds of nearly 50 kilometres per hour while racing down. This significantly exceeded the vehicle's 4th gear speed limit of 14 kilometres per hour.

The inquiry identified two primary contributing factors: the driver negotiating the terrain in neutral without six-wheel drive engaged, and the mechanical failure of the brakes. Justice Myers also noted that the lack of seatbelt requirements contributed to the fatalities, as victims were thrown from the vehicle during the roll. The inquiry, which cannot assign legal blame, provided recommendations to prevent similar future incidents.