The trial of the only person charged in connection with the collapse of the Algo Centre Mall four years ago in Elliot Lake begins today. Robert Wood, an engineer, was charged with two counts of negligence causing death and one count of negligence causing bodily harm. Two women died when part of the mall roof caved in during June, 2012. Wood had declared the mall structurally sound just weeks before the roof collapsed.
The commissioner who oversaw the inquiry into the mall collapse called Wood’s report markedly inferior. Wood admitted changing his report when asked to do so by the mall owner and the inquiry commissioner called this misleading and unprofessional behaviour. Wood is being tried in Sault Ste. Marie and if found guilty, he could face a life sentence.
