An inquest has been called into the death of a man who died after being crushed by a piece of heavy equipment on Vale Inco property in September 2007.
On Sept. 11, 2007, Léo Lafond, 58, was killed while working at a Vale Inco property in Copper Cliff, between the South Mine entrance road and the General Engineering building.
A press release from the Coroner's office incorrectly identified Lafond as employed by Vale Inco. He was instead employed by OCL Trucking and Excavating Ltd., located in Nairn Centre.
Steve Ball, manager of corporate affairs for Vale Inco, said he was uncertain what the company's involvement in the inquest would be, as Lafond was a contractor, rather than a Vale Inco employee.
No one was available from OCL Trucking and Excavating Ltd. to make a statement at press time.
An inquest into Lafond's death is mandatory under the Coroners Act. The inquest will look into the events that led to Lafond's death, with a jury who may make recommendations to avoid similar accidents happening in the future.
The inquest is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. on March 22, at the Sudbury Courthouse at 155 Elm Street.
Dr. Raymond Sawkiw will preside over the inquest as coroner, and Guy Roy will be counsel.
For more information, visit www.ontario.ca/mcscs.
