Man dead after four-storey fall
Coroner says drop that later killed 33-year-old man considered accidental
Shane Magee
Northern News Services
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
A 33-year-old man has died after falling from a fourth floor apartment balcony Saturday morning.
Shawn Godard, an Environment and Natural Resources wildland firefighter of 12 years, was mourned this week after his death over the weekend. - Facebook photo |
The man's plunge to a paved parking area outside the Bison Hill Apartments building is considered accidental, according to police.
"There is no evidence of foul play and the death does not appear to be suspicious," stated an RCMP news release issued Monday.
The man's name has been confirmed by the coroner's office.
Condolences were being expressed on social media about the death of Shawn Godard.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources posted photos on Facebook of Godard, who had served as a wildland firefighter crew leader.
"Shawn Godard, passed away suddenly this weekend and we are all going to miss him dearly as a friend and co-worker," the post that included photos stated.
He was said to have entered the fire program 12 years ago and soon became a respected firefighter.
"Along with contributing strong leadership and hard work ethic to every task he encountered, he was well known for having a great sense of humor and a big heart," the post stated.
The department's North Slave regional office expressed condolences to his family and friends.
Police were called to the four-storey Bison Hill Apartments building off 52 Street outside the downtown core at around 5 a.m. Saturday.
Godard was found outside "severely injured," police stated.
He was taken by ambulance to Stanton Territorial Hospital for treatment before being medevaced on Saturday to Edmonton. During the flight he became unresponsive and died, police stated.
The plane returned to Yellowknife and the office of the NWT coroner took over the investigation.
When there's a death, NWT Chief Coroner Cathy Menard said both the coroner and RCMP respond. The coroner takes custody of the person's remains.
If the death is considered suspicious, the scene comes under the control of the RCMP.
When there's no foul play the RCMP assist the coroner with aspects of the investigation such as taking witness statements, Menard said.
Godard's remains have been released to his family without autopsy, she said.
