B.C.’s chief coroner is putting out a message to the family members of dead and injured workers at a Burns Lake sawmill, saying the coroner’s inquest will thoroughly review all aspects of the tragedy.
Carl Charlie and Robert Luggi died when the Babine Forest Products Mill went up in flames in January 2012.
“I want to assure the families of the two workers who died, the many others who were seriously injured and everyone who was impacted by the events of Jan. 20, 2012, that the Coroner’s Inquest ordered into the deaths of Mr. Luggi and Mr. Charlie will thoroughly review all aspects of this tragedy,” says chief coroner Lisa Lapointe. In particular, the inquest will review policies, practices and responsibilities related to the mill operation and worker safety, and will allow an opportunity for a full and frank review of the mill’s operation and of all of the events leading to the tragedy.”
“I am confident, in fact, that a Coroner’s Inquest is the best venue to address the many concerns and questions raised about how and why the explosion happened and what can be done to prevent a similar event in the future,”she adds.
WorkSafeBC’s investigation into the incident did not provide enough evidence to support criminal charges.
Lapointe expects to schedule the inquest for the fall.
Video: Chief coroner Lisa Lapointe explains why a coroners inquest is a better option than a public inquiry
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