INQUEST: Look into double fatality at Stobie to begin April 20

SUDBURY, Ontario – The Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario announced yesterday that an inquest will begin on April 20 into the deaths of Jason Chenier and Jordan Fram. The inquest is expected to last 10 days, and the jury is may make recommendations aimed at preventing similar fatalities in the future.

Chenier and Fram were killed on June 9, 2011 while working underground in the Stobie nickel-copper mine belonging to Vale SA. They died when an unscheduled run of muck from an ore pass buried them.

The deaths were previously investigated by Vale, the United Steelworkers Local 6500, the Ontario Ministry of Labour and the Greater Sudbury Police Services. As part of the resolution of charges brought against Vale under the Occupational Health and Safety Act in connection with the incident, Val entered a guilty plea in September 2013 on three counts, and agreed to a fine of $1.05 million plus a 25% surcharge.

The coroner's inquest will examine the circumstances surrounding the men's deaths. It will be presided over by Dr. David Eden.