The second fatality from the Lakeland Mills explosion has been publicly identified as Glenn Francis Roche, 46. He was the operator of the mill's large head rig. He had worked at Lakeland for the past 29 years, said Sinclar Group Forest Products president Greg Stewart.
According to BC Coroners Service spokeswoman Barb McLintock, Roche was one of 24 who were working in the sawmill (another 25 were at the planer mill on the same site) when it exploded and burned at about 9:38 p.m. Monday.
"He was originally taken to University Hospital of Northern BC, and from there was taken by air ambulance to Edmonton for more specialized care," said McLintock. "However, despite the best efforts of medical staff, he died there early on the evening of April 24."
Another worker, Alan Little, died at the University Hospital of Northern BC in the early morning hours of April 24.
Northern Health spokesman Steve Raper said there was no way to tell if more fatalities may result, but the victims' wounds were not minor.
"Of the ones we have sent out to other facilities for treatments [two are in Vancouver and one in Victoria at dedicated burn units], it has been suggested to us by those specialists that the injuries are critical," Raper said Wednesday. "The ones still admitted at our Northern Health facilities are serious injuries. We can't know if more fatalities are still to come, but I know the staff at all these facilities are giving the best care they possibly can."
"The Coroners Service has launched an investigation into the two deaths," McLintock said. "The investigation will be undertaken in conjunction with the RCMP, the city of Prince George Fire Service, and WorkSafeBC."
The BC Coroners Service expressed its condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of both deceased, and also its sympathy to those injured in the blast.
More information will be released, said McLintock, as it becomes available.
