The IIO is not recommending charges against an officer for a Nanoose Bay incident. (File photo)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

saving a life

Oceanside RCMP cleared of wrongdoing for injuries caused during suicide attempt

Apr 2, 2020 | 10:34 AM

NANAIMO — Police officers trying to stop a man from committing suicide near Parksville won’t face repercussions for the injuries caused by their efforts.

A report from the Independent Investigations Office of B.C. released on Thursday, April 2 cleared several Oceanside RCMP officers for the Sept. 5, 2019 incident.

“RCMP members fully met and indeed went beyond their duties to protect and save life,” the report said.

The arrived at a bridge south of Parksville around 3 a.m. after trying to find the man who claimed he was going to commit suicide.

An officer with his police service dog found the man on the bridge with a rope around his neck fastened to the bridge railing.

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“He then saw (the man) standing on the railing…and saw (the man) immediately jump from the bridge,” the report said.

The officer rushed forward and quickly cut the rope which would have strangled the man.

The victim had fallen roughly 20 feet before the rope stopped him, hovering only a few feet above the rocks below.

When the rope was cut only moments later, the man fell the rest of the way.

Officers worked to cut the noose, which was tight around the man’s neck.

He was apprehended under the Mental Health Act and taken to hospital.

The man was diagnosed with “superficial injuries to his neck and a broken shoulder.”

“They acted swiftly and effectively,” the IIO report said. “Their commendable actions were directly responsible for saving (the man’s) life.”

The IIO investigates every police incident where serious harm or death occurs, no matter the circumstances.

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