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Man Dies After Jumping Into Erie Canal Fleeing Police
31 Mar
Summary
- Man died after jumping into Erie Canal to escape police pursuit.
- He had outstanding arrest warrants from two local agencies.
- Lifesaving efforts were performed but were unsuccessful.
A man's attempt to escape police ended tragically when he jumped into the Erie Canal near Tonawanda, New York, and subsequently died. The incident began early on Thursday, March 26, when officers initiated a traffic stop for a violation at approximately 1:12 a.m. The driver fled the vehicle and was pursued by officers toward Gateway Harbor.
In an effort to evade capture, the man leaped into the frigid waters of the Erie Canal. Responding officers deployed water rescue equipment, but the man lost consciousness during the rescue attempt. He was brought ashore, where emergency measures were administered before he was transported to Kenmore Mercy Hospital. Tragically, he was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Further investigation uncovered that the deceased individual had outstanding arrest warrants issued by two other law enforcement agencies within Erie County. Authorities have not yet released his identity pending family notification. The incident remains under active investigation.
