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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
A 21-year-old Yellowknife man was transported to Stanton Territorial Hospital early Sunday morning after falling asleep outside without a jacket, police say.

The RCMP was alerted to the situation by a member of the public, who called in a report close to 3:30 a.m. that a man had wandered away from his friend while walking in the Kam Lake area around 2 a.m.

"The intoxicated man was found asleep in an unlocked vehicle wearing only snow pants, shoes and a T-shirt and no coat," stated an RCMP press release.

With temperatures reaching as low as -24 C that night, there was a significant risk of hypothermia and possibly death to anyone exposed to the elements for an extended period of time, according to the RCMP.

"When you're under the influence of alcohol, it can affect your senses and make it much more dangerous not being able to find a safe place to stay or to be able to find your way to your house," said Const. Kathy Law.

The condition of the individual involved in the Sunday morning incident was unknown as of press time. There were no charges laid, Law said.

With the holiday season around the corner, police are reminding residents to enjoy festivities responsibly, to always make a plan of how to get home and to let someone know your location at all times.

"We're suggesting to people to make sure that they always have a plan in place prior to leaving for an evening, particularly when alcohol is involved," said Law.

"Ensure that you have a ride to and from the party that you're going to. Make sure you're with someone else or with a group of people and ensure that you tell somebody where you're going and when you're expected to be home."

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