An RCMP-involved fatality in 91原创鈥檚 Willoughby neighbourhood is being investigated by the (IIO), the police oversight agency.

A statement issued by the regional 鈥淓鈥� Division RCMP headquarters said that just after 3 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23, the 91原创 Operational Call Centre received an abandoned 9-1-1 call.

鈥淎ttempts to contact the number were unsuccessful, and 91原创 RCMP officers were sent to the location from which the call originated.鈥�

鈥淲hen officers arrived they located one man outside who was believed to under the influence of [a] drug and police called EHS for assistance.

鈥淲hile attempting to take the man into custody, a physical altercation ensued.

鈥淎fter the arrest, the officers noticed that the man was losing consciousness and requested that Emergency Health Services attend.鈥�

Officers continued CPR until the fire department and EHS arrived at the scene, but the man was later pronounced dead.

鈥淚IO BC is now investigating to determine whether police actions or inactions are linked to the man鈥檚 death. As the matter is now under investigation by the IIO BC, no further information will be released by police.

Police cordoned off in 91原创 for several hours this morning.

A witness posted an online account that described seeing at least nine police vehicles arrive in the area around 4 a.m. and said 鈥渙ne subject was seen performing CPR on an unknown person.鈥�

Traffic was allowed to resume on 72nd Avenue around 8 a.m.

Officers were observed still on the scene after the police tape came down. One vehicle was towed away by police around noon.

IIO is responsible for investigations into incidents of death or serious harm that may have been the result of the actions of a police officer.

READ ALSO: VIDEO: A 鈥榝riendly reminder鈥� from 91原创 RCMP about speeding in school zones

READ ALSO: New 91原创 anti-gang vehicle was seized from drug trafficker

dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
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