A woman died after being struck by a police car driving through a small riverfront park on River Avenue on Monday evening.
Officers were returning a person to a riverfront homeless encampment in Fort Rouge Park when the patrol car struck the woman, a woman in her 30s, police said at a news conference Tuesday.
Officers rendered emergency medical attention before paramedics arrived and took the woman to hospital in critical condition. She later succumbed to her injuries.
“On behalf of all members of the Winnipeg Police Service, I want to extend my condolences and thoughts to the family, her friends, her community – and her family and friends at the camp,” Acting Police Chief Art Stannard said at the press conference.
“I know this is a very heartbreaking, emotional and difficult time for the family. They are looking for answers.”
Manitoba’s Independent Investigation Unit has taken responsibility for the investigation, which limits what police can say about the incident, Stannard said.
“They were bringing a person home to this camp and felt they had to drive them down this road. That’s all I can say at the moment. The IIU will track the case down,” he said when reporters asked why officers would drive through the park.
“The camps are on the river bank. They are difficult to get to. So if there is a route or a path that leads there, they may use it.”
It is not uncommon for police officers to pick up someone who clearly needs this help, Stannard said.
“They did it out of courtesy so the person could get home safely.”
Stannard said he had spoken to both officers involved “and they are absolutely devastated” and would be taking a few days off to speak to a psychologist.
“We have to take care of them too.”
He reiterated that police “are heartbroken for the family … and we want them to know that our thoughts are with them. That’s what today is about. It’s tragic.”
The park is located in the River-Osborne neighborhood, about halfway between Osborne Street and Donald Street.
Staff from the Main Street Project, a nonprofit social agency that serves people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, were at the park on Tuesday to offer assistance to anyone in need.
“The Main Street Project is deeply saddened to hear of the serious incident that occurred last night at Fort Rouge Park. Right now, our focus is on supporting local people,” said Executive Director Jamil Mahmood in an emailed statement.
Officers were returning a person to a riverfront homeless encampment in Fort Rouge Park when the patrol car struck the woman, a woman in her 30s, police said at a news conference Tuesday.
