Ottawa – As the second anniversary of the January 2022 explosion at the Eastway Tank, Pump and Meter in Ottawa approaches, a trial looms over the tragic incident that claimed the lives of six workers. The blast resulted in the deaths of Rick Bastien, Etienne Mabiala, Danny Beale, Kayla Ferguson, Russell McLellan, and Matt Kearney, who succumbed to his injuries in the hospital the day after the explosion. There is still lingering grief and unanswered questions for the families of the victims as they wait for the upcoming trial.
Louise Martel, the fiancée of Rick Bastien, shared her emotional journey as she copes with the loss of her partner. She keeps Bastien’s ashes by her bedside and continues to pray and have conversations with him daily. For her, the upcoming trial may provide some closure and shed light on the circumstances surrounding the explosion.
The trial, set to begin in March, will focus on Neil Greene, the owner of Eastway, who faces charges under the province’s Occupational Health and Safety Act. The charges allege that the company did not take reasonable precautions to protect its workers and failed to ensure a truck was free of flammable substances while work or testing that could ignite it was taking place nearby.
Amid the ongoing legal proceedings, the Ottawa Police Service continues its investigation into the blast. It remains an emotionally charged and devastating journey for the families and loved ones of the victims as they seek closure and answers about the tragic incident at Eastway Tank.
As investigators and legal proceedings continue, the families of the victims and the community at large hold onto hope for justice and a resolution that will honor the memory of those who lost their lives in the tragic explosion at Eastway Tank.