Yellowknife (Aug 11/06) - Police are investigating the circumstances that resulted in a 45-year-old Yellowknife man being medevaced to the University of Alberta Hospital while in their custody.

The man was taken to the Stanton Territorial Hospital twice before undergoing brain surgery in Alberta. He is now listed in critical condition, according to Yellowknife RCMP.

His name was not released at the request of his family. Aboriginal leaders are in contact with his relatives, said police.

Sgt. Darcy Fleury said the investigation will look at what happened to the man before and during custody, including the time he spent in the hospital.

The incident began at 1:30 a.m. on Aug. 3 when police responded to a call of an intoxicated man lying down in the Frame Lake South area.

Fleury said police saw the man had a visible head injury and decided he should see a doctor.

"When somebody's passed out, we use our discretion," he said.

The individual also seemed intoxicated from the smell of alcohol on his breath, said Fleury. He had also been taken into custody in the past for public intoxication.

Following the first visit to hospital, the man was released back into the care of police and taken to the station to "sober up."

Fleury said the man was under constant surveillance using cameras in the cell and was checked on personally by an officer every 10 to 15 minutes. Officers sent the man back to the hospital later that morning when he began throwing up in the cell.

"We believe we did what was required," he said and added all officers take first-aid courses as part of their training.

Police did not release a timeline of events by deadline.Hospital officials refused to say whether the man was treated for intoxication or head injuries, or both, the first time he was taken to Stanton via ambulance.

They also refused to say what resulted in the decision to medevac the man during his second visit to hospital.

"It's because of patient confidentiality," said Stanton chief executive officer Sylvia Haener.

Fleury would not release the nature of the man's injuries because it is still under investigation.

Haener said the hospital has no plans to investigate the matter.

"There's been no kind of formal complaint," she said.

NWT chief medical health officer Dr. Andre Corriveau said it is possible to misdiagnose a head injury as intoxication because they share many characteristics.

"It's difficult to differentiate symptoms unless there's obvious bruises or cuts," said Corriveau.

The similar symptoms are dizziness, slurred speech, confusion, dizziness, inability to walk, nausea, and headache.

Corriveau said the possibility of recovery depends on how long the injury remained untreated.

"If it's a short period of time, there shouldn't be any damage," said Corriveau. He said he is not involved in this particular case at this time.

Heather Chang, quality and risk management coordinator and registered nurse with the hospital, said all patients are assessed by a physician when they come into emergency.

Chang said a patient would not be released from the hospital if the physician thought more treatment or a referral was needed.

She said people coming in with head injuries who are intoxicated is something the hospital has seen in the past.

"It's not an uncommon thing to see," said Chang.

A spokesperson for Health Minister Michael Miltenberger said he is aware of the situation, but did not wish to comment.