A man is clinging to life in hospital after falling out of a third-storey window while allegedly trying to evade police in Vancouver, and now the police watchdog is investigating.
Vancouver police said they were executing a search warrant just after 2 p.m. Thursday at a residence in the Downtown Eastside when the man inside allegedly tried to flee out the window.
The man, who police say is in his 50s, fell to the ground on East Hastings near Columbia Street and sustained life-threatening injuries. He was rushed to hospital where he currently remains.
The Independent Investigations Office is now looking into what led to the man’s injuries and whether police actions played a direct role. They’re asking anyone who witnessed the incident to contact them.
Police say they are continuing their property crime investigation that led them to the building.
It’s not clear whether the man is considered a suspect in any crime.
WATCH: (Aired Jan. 16) IIO releases report into death of man at the hands of Vancouver police
In January, the police watchdog was called to investigate after a woman fled Vancouver police and also fell out of a window, this time four storeys up. She sustained serious injuries.