The trial of a Gatineau-based bus company has been adjourned to allow time to address disclosure issues.

Originally scheduled for Aug. 14, 15 and 16 in Provincial Offences Court, the case against Thom Transport has been put over until Oct. 1, 2012, exactly two years to the day that 48-year-old Cynthia Kane of Laurentian Valley fell from the back of a moving Thom Transport vehicle, which serves as local public transit, and later died of head injuries sustained in the fall.

As a result of this incident, the company has been charged with four offences under the Highway Traffic Act – permitting operation of an unsafe commercial vehicle, operating an unsafe motor vehicle, as the registered owner failing to ensure the motor vehicle met the prescribed performance standards and failing to ensure the commercial motor vehicle met the prescribed performance standards.

The disclosure issue that has arisen could have a significant impact on whether this matter will proceed to trial, according to the prosecution in the case.

The incident involving the Thom Transport vehicle occurred in the area of Bruham Avenue and Boundary Road while the bus was travelling along its regular route. Ms. Kane was originally taken to Pembroke Regional Hospital and later transported to the Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus where she succumbed to her injuries.

Originally the mechanic that worked on the vehicle and the driver of the vehicle at the time also faced charges, but they have since been stayed by the prosecution.

Tina Peplinskie is a Daily Observer multimedia journalist

tina.peplinskie@sunmedia.ca

Twitter: @TPeplinskieOBS