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Coroner’s Inquest

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Coroner’s inquest announced for death of teen who was jailed in Fort Frances

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The death of an 18-year-old teenager will be the subject of a coroner’s inquest.

Justin Fiddler died in hospital in Thunder Bay in June 2019.

He had been in custody at the Ge-Da-Gi-Binez Youth Centre in Fort Frances but sustained an injury that required him to be airlifted to Thunder Bay.

The inquest will examine the circumstances surrounding Fiddler’s death, with a jury tasked to make recommendations.

No date has yet been set.

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Workplace death leads jury to call for safety changes

New safety concerns are being raised after a coroner’s inquest into a worker’s death.

The inquest investigated the circumstances surrounding the death of Matthew Brawn, who passed away in a workplace accident during the summer of 2024.

The provincial government said the inquest was held this week at the Saint John courthouse.

Brawn died on July 18, 2024, while erecting wind turbines in the Springdale area of the Kings Rural District, according to a government release.

The jury classified his death as an accident.

The release noted coroners and juries can classify a death as a homicide, suicide, accident, natural causes or manner undetermined.

The six‑member jury heard from six witnesses and made several recommendations directed at the Windturbine Construction Team.

The government said the recommendations focus on clearer supervision, stronger daily safety planning and ensuring only trained workers operate equipment.

The recommendations include:

  • Establishing a clear on‑site supervisor.
  • Holding structured morning safety meetings.
  • Reviewing equipment use and intended purpose.
  • Identifying the chain of command each day.
  • Reminding workers of their right to refuse unsafe work.
  • Reinforcing consequences for not following procedures.
  • Ensuring only competent, properly trained workers operate equipment.
  • Emphasizing that telehandlers and other equipment must be used only as intended and within their rated capacities.

One of the recommendations directed to both the Windturbine Construction Team and the Iron Workers Union calls for training that reinforces the proper use and limits of telehandlers and similar equipment.

The chief coroner will forward the recommendations to the appropriate agencies for consideration.

The release said the responses will be included in the chief coroner’s 2026 annual report.

An inquest is a formal court proceeding that presents all evidence related to a death.

It does not assign blame or determine legal responsibility, but it can make recommendations aimed at preventing similar deaths in the future.

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Inquest set to examine 2024 workplace death of N.B. man

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A public inquest will soon examine the circumstances surrounding the 2024 workplace death of Matthew Brawn.

The inquest will be held January 12 and 13 at the Saint John courthouse, according to a government release.

Brawn died on July 18, 2024, after a workplace accident while wind turbines were being installed in the Springdale area of the Kings Rural District.

Regional coroner Danny Mallet will preside over the inquest, where a jury will hear evidence from witnesses in a public setting.

An inquest is a formal court process that allows all evidence related to a death to be presented openly, according to the New Brunswick Coroner Service.

The Coroner Service said the jury may make recommendations aimed at preventing similar deaths.

It also noted that the agency is an independent fact‑finding body and cannot make any finding of legal responsibility.

The first day of the inquest will begin at 9 a.m. with jury selection.