The owner of a Langley mushroom farm where three workers died in 2008 has finally apologized to the families of the victims, and the two men who survived, but suffered permanent damage.
No tears were shed by Ha Quan Truong when he told a coroner’s inquest in Burnaby he never wanted this tragedy to happen and he considers himself a victim.
Several family members in the gallery started crying when Truong said, ‘They lost their family members, but I lost my money too.’
He claims he’s lost everything and even contemplated suicide, but his wife stopped him.
The apology comes too late for Tracey Phan who’s been attending the inquest on behalf of her father, who almost died four years ago.
“He should have been doing the right thing. He should have stepped into his own shoes. He’s the employer. He’s the one that’s feeding everyone. He should be making sure that they come home to their family every single night.”
Truong has repeatedly said he didn’t know the safety violations he was committing were deadly, but Phan and the families of other victims say they don’t believe him.
The inquest has heard Truong was ordered to stop producing compost by the Township of Langley.
A letter dated September of 2006 notified him the composting facility – which contained deadly gas – did not comply with regulations.
Truong claims he doesn’t remember being ordered to shut down that part of the farm and was advised by his lawyer to continue operating until he received a court order.
Two years later, toxic fumes in a pump shed killed three workers and permanently injured two other men.
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