News Release

SIU Appeals for Witnesses to Incident near Espanola

Case Number: 12-PCI-279   

Other News Releases Related to Case 12-PCI-279

SIU Concludes Falling Injuries Investigation near Espanola

Mississauga (24 September, 2012) --- The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is seeking witnesses to an incident that occurred yesterday afternoon on Highway 17 in Massey, west of Espanola.

At approximately 1:45 p.m. on Sunday, September 23, 2012, Ontario Provincial Police officers responded to the Sables River Bridge on Highway 17 after being notified that a 38-year-old woman was standing on the bridge.  A short time later, the woman fell into the Aux Sables River below.  She was rescued, and taken to Health Sciences North in Sudbury for treatment of internal injuries and a broken wrist.  She remains there in stable condition.

Investigators are interested in speaking to anyone who may have information about this incident.  The lead investigator can be reached at 705-665-5440.

If you or someone you know is an affected person in need of support, please call the Affected Persons Program General Referral Line at 1-877-641-1897 or click here for more information: siu.on.ca/en/apc.php

The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (police officers as well as special constables with the Niagara Parks Commission and peace officers with the Legislative Protective Service) that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault and/or the discharge of a firearm at a person. All investigations are conducted by SIU investigators who are civilians. Under the Special Investigations Unit Act, the Director of the SIU must

  • consider whether the official has committed a criminal offence in connection with the incident under investigation
  • depending on the evidence, cause a criminal charge to be laid against the official where grounds exist for doing so, or close the file without any charges being laid
  • publicly report the results of its investigations