B.C.’s independent police watchdog examines man’s death in Abbotsford

ABBOTSFORD, B.C. – A man has died in Abbotsford, B.C., and the province’s independent police watchdog is checking any possible connection between his death and the actions of officers.

A news release from the Abbotsford Police Department says officers were called to a report of a fight at a business, in the Clearbrook area of the Fraser Valley city, at about 8:30 Sunday night.

It says that when police arrived, they found an unconscious man without any vital signs.

Resuscitation efforts began immediately and paramedics took over as soon as they arrived, but the 54-year-old man was pronounced dead in hospital a short time later.

Police contacted the Independent Investigations Office to determine if any police action contributed to the death.

The IIO must investigate all cases of police-involved death or serious injury involving municipal or RCMP detachments in B.C.