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B.C.'s IIO investigating after a man in custody dies while in Surrey jail cells

IIO says it will be conducting an investigation to determine whether police actions played a role in the man's death
IndependentInvestigationsOfficeofBC
RCMP reported the man was unresponsive during a check of cells.

The Independent Investigations Office of BC has been called in to look into the circumstances surrounding the death of a man while in custody in Surrey over the long weekend.

According to police accounts the man was arrested in connection with a domestic assault investigation this past Friday.

During that evening, RCMP say the man was responsive during regular prisoner checks, but was found to be unresponsive during a check of cells Saturday afternoon.

"First aid was immediately provided by officers and the on-shift nurse working in the cell block," RCMP state in a news release.

"Emergency Health Services were called, and paramedics continued to provide medical attention until the man was pronounced dead."

The IIO says it has been notified and will conduct an independent investigation to determine whether police actions contributed to his passing.

The IIO is asking any person with relevant information of the incident to please contact the Witness Line toll-free at 1-855-446-8477 or via the contact form on the iiobc.ca website.