LaGuardia air traffic controller: "I messed up."

This is from a Canadian news source:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/livestory/air-canada-crash-la-guardia-airport-9.7138217

...."Seconds before, a United Airlines flight reports a strange odour on board, prompting an emergency response by the airport's rescue and firefighting (ARFF) team.

Multiple vehicles leave the airport fire station and approach Runway 4. As required, they request permission to cross the runway from controllers. That permission is granted and the lumbering vehicles begin to accelerate.

Mere seconds later, the same ground controller is heard on the radio urgently calling on the vehicles to stop. He uses the word "stop" ten times.
....
The controller is heard on the audio saying "I messed up." Another pilot tries to console him. Standard procedure would then require he be relieved of his position — the very first step in what will be a long investigation.".... (more)