EDMONTON – Edmonton police are investigating a woman’s death after she fell while walking on a sidewalk in west Edmonton Saturday.
EMS and police responded to the area of 154 Street and 99 Avenue around 8:00 a.m., after a nearby resident noticed a woman laying on the ground.
Officers say the woman fell and hit her head on the sidewalk. Police say CPR was performed on the woman, who was then taken to hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Family members have identified the woman as 56-year-old Teresa “Terri” Dennehey. She was staying with her son who lives in the area. Her son says she had been out drinking and he was concerned when she did not return home.
The family visited the scene Saturday, but did not wish to comment further on her death.
Investigators believe she either slipped on the ice or had some sort of medical episode that caused her to fall.
Get breaking National news
“What I get from the investigators is that there was a patch of ice nearby where she fell down. So, certainly, it’s our belief that it played a role,” said Staff Sergeant Barry Maron with the Edmonton Police Service (EPS).
“She received an injury to the back of her head that’s consistent with falling down. So the Medical Examiner will determine the exact cause of death,” Maron added.
According to the University of Alberta, the number of people visiting the emergency department with fall-related injuries this winter has increased somewhat drastically over past years.
“On a daily basis we’re seeing fractured ankles, elbows, shoulders, wrists. And, unfortunately, we’ve seen head injuries,” explained Dr. Louis Francescutti with the School of Public Health at the U of A, “these head injuries, although they’re rare, can be devastating.”
READ MORE: Edmontonians slipping and sliding on sidewalks; sand seemingly in short supply
“With the freeze/thaw, freeze/thaw there’s usually a layer of ice underneath and this recent snow makes it very slippery,” Francescutti explained. “We’ve seen a lot of young people this year. Usually it’s seniors, and you would expect them because they’re slower to react and their balance is a little off, but we’ve seen a lot of young people this year.”
Edmontonians are required to clear their sidewalks within 48 hours of a snowfall.
The woman’s death is not considered suspicious.
With files from Cheryl Oates, Global News.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.