Dziekanski was alive: RCMP

By Dan Ferguson - Surrey North Delta Leader - November 30, 2007

Paul Pritchard video

Robert Dziekanski was still breathing and had a pulse when emergency medical personnel arrived at Vancouver International Airport.

That's what the RCMP officers who jolted Dziekanski with a Taser gun have told investigators.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) took the unusual step Friday of releasing preliminary findings from their investigation into Dziekanski's Oct. 14 death following a confrontation with police at the airport.

The incident that preceded the death of the 40-year-old Polish immigrant was captured on video by a passenger in the airport.

The footage of Dziekanski throwing furniture, then screaming and writhing on the ground after being hit by the electrical stun gun, has generated widespread international comment, much of it critical of the police.

Some commentators have asked why the officers didn't perform first aid on Dziekanski, who is seen lying motionless on the ground in the video after the Taser hits.

IHIT spokesman Cpl. Dale Carr said the RCMP officers and one airport security officer involved in the confrontation have told investigators that Dziekanski fell unconscious after he was hit by the Taser, but he was still alive when the paramedics arrived.

"It appears as though first aid was not administered because they didn't think it was required," Carr said.

"Mr. Dziekanski was breathing and he had a pulse."

The officers did call for an ambulance from Richmond, and when it arrived, six-and-a-half minutes later, the officers at the scene said Dziekanski was still alive.

They told IHIT that they "continuously" monitored Dziekanski's condition and they kept Dziekanski in handcuffs until the paramedics arrived because of safety concerns.

Asked if the investigation would address why the officers didn't call for help from emergency medical services personnel at the airport, Carr said that was among the issues being reviewed by investigators.

A team of officers has been assigned full-time to the case, Carr said.

"We want to do this as throughly and fairly as we can, in an unbiased manner," Carr said.

He said the goal is to complete the investigation by the end of January.

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Dziekanski was alive: RCMP

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