Jeff Colbourne
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jun 29/98) - While suicides accounted for 32 deaths in the North in 1997 -- seven in the West and 25 in the East -- accidents caused more deaths, 40 in 1997, exceeded only by 65 natural deaths.

According to the NWT Coroners Service report for 1997 accidental deaths account for 27.29 per cent of reportable deaths in the NWT.

Of the deaths attributable to accidental causes, the most substantial percentage of deaths were that of males.

Accidental deaths involving motorized vehicles including all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles account for 35 per cent of total deaths.

Alcohol was a contributing factor in most accidents. For instance of five cases of hypothermia and exposure deaths, two were alcohol related. Of six drowning incidents, again two involved alcohol and in five of the six deaths the individual were not wearing life jackets.

Of the 14 motor vehicle related deaths six involved alcohol.

Other deaths in 1997 were the result of a dog attack, carving accident, a poisoning and six fire-related deaths.