Man dies in Fort St. John police cells

Police officers from New Westminster have travelled to Fort St. John to investigate the death of a 46-year-old man who died in police custody on Friday night.

Fort St. John RCMP Sgt. Steve Perret said that the man was arrested without incident just after 5 p.m. MT following a complaint. The arrested man was placed in police cells.

"A series of routine checks were conducted on the male and at one point during the evening he was observed to be unresponsive," Perret said in a press release. "Immediate medical assistance was provided."

Paramedics were called, but the man was pronounced dead. 

Perret said the B.C. Coroner's Service is conducting an investigation into the sudden death and police from New Westminster, B.C., are also investigating the incident.

New Westminster Police Sgt. Gary Weishaar said in a press release that investigators from the criminial investigations section left late Saturday afternoon.

"It is anticipated that investigators will remain on scene for several days interviewing witnesses," Weishaar said.