Man dies following struggle with Coquitlam RCMP; police watchdog investigating
A man who allegedly had a struggle with Coquitlam RCMP this week and was hospitalized with critical injuries has since died, B.C.'s police watchdog confirmed Friday.
The incident unfolded early Tuesday morning, when patrol officers were asked to help locate the man after he reportedly left home under the influence of drugs and alcohol while only dressed in a T-shirt and underwear.
Authorities said they found him outside a home on Balfour Drive, but that he resisted arrest.
"Once in handcuffs, officers noted the man was having trouble breathing and lost consciousness," the RCMP said in a news release issued after the incident.
"Officers began life-saving efforts until BC Emergency Health Services arrived to continue resuscitation efforts and transport the man to a local area hospital, where he was listed in critical condition."
In an update Friday, the Independent Investigations Office of B.C. confirmed the man died in hospital.
At the time of the incident, authorities did not indicate what drugs the man had allegedly been using, or provide any details about how the struggle to get him into handcuffs unfolded.
"The IIO investigation into the incident continues," the latest statement from the IIO said. "The BC Coroners Service is also conducting an independent investigation to determine the circumstances of the death."
The IIO is tasked with investigating all incidents involving police officers in B.C. that result in death or serious injury to a member of the public, regardless of whether there is an allegation of wrongdoing on the part of police.
Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to call 1-855-446-8477.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.