New dates for inquest into Lumby teen’s death

VERNON – The inquest into the death of a Lumby teen in an industrial accident at the Lavington planer mill over a year ago will be held this fall.

The B.C. Coroners Service had originally planned to hold the inquest into Bradley Haslam’s death this past spring, but new information forced the coroners service to postpone it.

The inquest will now begin on Oct. 20 at the Vernon courthouse.

Presiding coroner T.E. Chico Newell and a jury will hear evidence from witnesses under oath to determine the facts surrounding this death, according to a media release.

The coroners service isn’t saying what additional material was received.

Haslam, 18, was killed on June 15, 2013 while working the night shift at the Tolko planer mill in Lavington. He was caught in a conveyor belt.

A WorkSafe B.C. inspection report said there weren’t sufficient guards in place to prevent workers from contacting the machinery.

The community of Lumby was devastated by the young man’s loss. He had just graduated from high school.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infotelnews.ca or call 250-309-5230. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.