The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team is investigating the death of a man following an interaction with a Lethbridge Police Service officer at the Lethbridge Viaduct, commonly known as the High Level Bridge.

Lethbridge police received several 911 calls about 7:30 p.m. July 13 reporting a man walking west on the bridge, a railway trestle that is not open to pedestrians.

One of three responding officers went onto the bridge and approached the man near the middle. ASIRT says the officer spoke with the man and directed him to leave, but he remained, and the two continued to speak. About 8 p.m., following an interaction between them, the man went over the side of the bridge. Paramedics declared him dead at the scene.

ASIRT says its investigation will examine the officer’s actions and the circumstances surrounding the death, including what happened immediately before the man went over the side.

The Police Review Commission directed ASIRT to investigate the case as a Level 1 matter. Under the Police Act, that category covers cases involving serious injury or death, or serious or sensitive concerns about an officer’s actions.

ASIRT is part of the Police Review Commission, an independent civilian-led agency that investigates potential criminal offences involving police across Alberta, including cases where an officer’s actions may have resulted in serious injury or death.

The investigation is ongoing and ASIRT says no further information is available.

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