Calgary

Man's death after slipping on sidewalk in southwest Calgary ruled accidental

Calgary police say the fire department came across the victim in the 3300 block of Spruce Drive around 11:30 p.m.

Fire department came across injured pedestrian around 11:30 p.m., police say

Witnesses told Calgary police a man fell while walking along Spruce Drive, which caused trauma to his head. The victim died in hospital from his injuries. (Mike Symington/CBC)

Police say a man's death has been ruled accidental, after he slipped and fell Tuesday night while walking in the southwest community of Spruce Cliff.

Calgary police say the fire department came across the victim in the 3300 block of Spruce Drive around 11:30 p.m.

He was found on the ground with trauma to the head and was taken to hospital, where he died from his injuries.

Police responded to the scene because of the nature of the call. After speaking with witnesses, they determined the man had fallen, causing the head injury.

Dr. Eddy Lang, the department head of Emergency Medicine in Calgary, said the city sees more falls than other jurisdictions of the same size.

"Our population is aging — a lot of them are taking blood thinners. So even a small fall from one's own height without any stairs or being hit by a vehicle can potentially be fatal," said Lang, speaking in general terms.

Police could not say how old the victim was.

With files from Elissa Carpenter