Calypso had 'wilful blindness' to safety risks, Crown says

Crown prosecutors argued Calypso Water Park staff were wilfully blind to injuries and didn't properly document injuries that occurred on its water slides.The Limoges, Ont., water park faces 11 charges from the Technical Standards & Safety Authority for alleged safety violations in 2011 and 2012 on three rides: the Orange Bobsleigh, Pirate's Aquaplay and the Steamer water slide.Crown prosecutor Tom Ayres argued in closing statements that Calypso ignored hazards on its rides and then didn't follow up when incidents occurred.Ayres noted, for example, that staff didn't follow up on incidents of rafts flipping on the Steamer."There was a hazard with the device that should have been documented early and corrected," he said.The Technical Standards & Safety Authority originally laid 20 charges against the water park for alleged safety violations. But prosecutors withdrew nine charges in February due to lack of evidence.Calypso's lawyer Lawrence Greenspon argued Monday in his closing statements that the Crown failed to establish any trend in those cases. He said only a few of the incidents were actually reported to Calypso at the time.Justice Julie Lauzon is expected to deliver her decision on April 13.Calypso is also facing outstanding civil lawsuits. Crown prosecutors argued Calypso Water Park staff were wilfully blind to injuries and didn't properly document injuries that occurred on its water slides. The Limoges, Ont., water park faces 11 charges from the Technical Standards & Safety Authority for alleged safety violations in 2011 and 2012 on three rides: the Orange Bobsleigh, Pirate's Aquaplay and the Steamer water slide. Crown prosecutor Tom Ayres argued in closing statements that Calypso ignored hazards on its rides and then didn't follow up when incidents occurred. Ayres noted, for example, that staff didn't follow up on incidents of rafts flipping on the Steamer. "There was a hazard with the device that should have been documented early and corrected," he said. The Technical Standards & Safety Authority originally laid 20 charges against the water park for alleged safety violations. But prosecutors withdrew nine charges in February due to lack of evidence. Calypso's lawyer Lawrence Greenspon argued Monday in his closing statements that the Crown failed to establish any trend in those cases. He said only a few of the incidents were actually reported to Calypso at the time. Justice Julie Lauzon is expected to deliver her decision on April 13. Calypso is also facing outstanding civil lawsuits.