TORONTO – Toronto police are appealing for witnesses as they investigate the death of a young man who became caught underneath a parade float at the city’s Caribbean Carnival.
Previous reports had stated the man had fallen from the float.
According to police, the 18-year-old was standing beside the float Saturday night when he was drawn under and run over by the float’s trailer just before 9 p.m.
Police say the young man suffered life-threatening injuries and was rushed to hospital, where he later died.
On Sunday police identified the man as Rueshad Grant.
Officials are examining a video posted on the Internet which appears to show the immediate aftermath of the incident.
The clip appears to show confusion on the crowded parade route, with the crowd yelling for the float to stop as it slowly starts moving after a brief pause.
Organizers of the parade are expressing their “heartfelt sympathies” to those who knew the young man.
“We are deeply saddened by this loss,” spokeswoman Denise Herrera-Jackson said in a statement.
“The Toronto police are conducting a full and thorough investigation and we will assist them in any way we can.”
An autopsy was set to take place Sunday.
The Toronto Caribbean Carnival is a three-week-long cultural festival which is now in its forty-sixth year.
With files from The Canadian Press
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