Lawyers for the Come By Chance refinery and one of its contractors were back in Clarenville provincial court yesterday in connection with a fatal explosion at the refinery two years ago.
Braya Renewable Fuels and New Brunswick-based Lorneville Mechanical Contractors were charged in July with a total of 14 counts under the province’s Occupational Health and Safety Act.
The explosion, described as a flash fire, happened around 4 p.m. on Sept. 2nd of 2022, a Friday afternoon.
Eight workers were rushed to hospital by ambulance and by air, with one employee, 47-year-old Shawn Peddle of Clarenville, succumbing to his injuries in hospital six weeks after the fact.
Judge Paul Noble presided over yesterday’s appearance and was told that a “significant amount of disclosure” has been released by the Crown to the defendants in the case.
But it was noted that more information specific to Lorneville Mechanical Contractors was being forwarded to lawyers this week.
RCMP have not laid criminal charges but have said their investigation is continuing.
All parties are due back in court on Nov. 21 for an update on next steps in the tragic case.