Teen dies after falling from bridge in Cambridge, SIU investigating
Posted Jul 2, 2024 02:43:00 PM.
Last Updated Jul 3, 2024 06:12:17 PM.
The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) invoked its mandate after a police-involved incident in Cambridge that saw a teenager transported to hospital in critical condition and later pronounced dead.
Early on Tuesday morning, the Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) announced a road closure on Concession Street and asked the public to avoid the area.
Police then confirmed they received a report of a “male in a distress” in the Concession Street and Water Street South area around 3:40 a.m.
“As a result of the incident, the male was transported to hospital and the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), has invoked its mandate,” said WRPS in a media release.
The police service said it could not release any further information because of the SIU investigation.
The Special Investigations Unit said their preliminary investigation revealed the WRPS call related to a 17-year-old male who was standing on a bridge.
The SIU said the teen was in crisis and after an hour of negotiations with officers, the male fell from the bridge into the Grand River.
“Emergency personnel located him and pulled him out of the water,” read the report from the SIU. “He was vital signs absent. CPR was initiated.”
The 17-year-old was taken to hospital in critical condition.
On Wednesday, the youth was pronounced dead in hospital. A post-mortem was scheduled for Thursday.
The SIU continues to investigate the circumstances around the police interaction and asked any witnesses, including those with relevant photos or video, to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529. Information can also be provided online by clicking here.
The SIU is called in any time there’s a police-involved injury, death, or allegation of sexual assault.
