One police agency is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a man who fell from the Pattullo Bridge in May – and another policing agency is investigating the circumstances surrounding the case.
Surrey RCMP issued a press release on June 3 seeking the public’s help in identifying a man who fell from the Pattullo Bridge on May 15.
Cpl. Corporal Vanessa Munn, media relations officer for the Surrey RCMP, said police are actively trying to identify the man who is presumed to be deceased, but whose body has not yet been recovered.
While no missing persons investigations matching the man’s description have been located, Surrey RCMP believe someone may recognize him.
Officers who were on scene worked with a forensic sketch artist in an effort to identify the man, who is described as being Filipino, 40 to 50 years of age, medium to heavy build, thinning hair; he was wearing a black windbreaker/hard shell jacket, a white T-shirt and blue jeans
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502. If they wish to remain anonymous, they can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or www.solvecrime.ca.
On the afternoon of Sunday, May 15, witnesses reported seeing the Hovercraft searching the waters near New Westminster’s waterfront. Emergency vehicles were also seen at the Quay.
“Our role in this police file was to assist with our police boat Shaw 1,” said Hailey Finnigan, the New Westminster Police Department’s strategic communications coordinator. “Two of our officers did an extensive search the waters below the bridge. We were later assisted by the Coast Guard.”
A day after the incident, the Independent Investigations Office of BC said it was investigating the circumstances surrounding a death in New Westminster.
“Information from the RCMP states that shortly after 11 a.m. on May 15, 2022, police responded to a call from a bystander concerned for a male pedestrian’s wellness as he reported to be at the railing on the Pattullo Bridge,” said the IIO press release. “It is reported that while officers spoke to the man, he fell from the bridge and is not believed to have survived.”
The IIO, an independent civilian oversight agency of the police in British Columbia, investigates all officer-related incidents that result in serious harm or death, whether or not there is any allegation of wrongdoing. It’s asking that anyone with relevant information about this incident contact its witness line toll-free at 1-855-446-8477 or via a contact form at www.iiobc.ca.
