Man found unconscious in police cell

DARTMOUTH A Dartmouth man is in “grave” condition in hospital after he was found unconscious in a Halifax police cell.

A release from the province’s Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT), which is investigating the incident, said the 47-year-old man was found unconscious in a cell Monday night.

“It appeared his condition resulted from self-inflicted actions,” the release said.

A release from Halifax police said they responded to an address in Dartmouth at 9:38 p.m. for a report of an intoxicated man.

The release from SiRT said the man was arrested at 10:15 p.m. for being intoxicated in public.

Police said staff members were conducting routine cells checks at 10:42 p.m. when they found the man unresponsive.

After the man was found, police immediately performed first aid and called paramedics who took the man to hospital, they said.

“It is believed that his condition is life-threatening,” the police release said.

SiRT’s release said the man’s “condition remains grave.”

SiRT has a mandate to investigate serious incidents involving police even when there is no allegation of wrongdoing. Its director will file a report on the investigation into this incident within three months of its completion.