Sentencing adjourned for backhoe operator in fatal natural gas explosion

A Saskatchewan backhoe operator found responsible for a fatal explosion will have to wait until Aug. 1 to find out his sentence. 

A judge heard sentencing arguments today in a Nipawin courtroom, but adjourned the decision. 

Lorry Riemer was convicted last month of two workplace violations under the province’s Occupational Health and Safety Act. 

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He was demolishing some buildings in downtown Nipawin in 2008 when he snagged a natural gas riser with his equipment. 

That caused gas to seep into a butcher shop. 

Two men working for Riemer were killed and several others were seriously injured. 

Provincial court Judge Barry Morgan ruled Riemer was the person with the greatest amount of control over the demolition operation. 

SaskEnergy was originally charged with workplace offences, but the Justice Department stayed those charges.