Gatineau Police under investigation following tragic incident at Hull Hospital

Tashi Farmilo

The actions of Gatineau police are currently under investigation by Quebec's police watchdog following an incident at the Hull Hospital, where an individual fell from a window. The Bureau des Enquêtes Indépendantes (BEI) reported that the police were called to the hospital just before 1:00 am on Tuesday, July 11, because there was a distressed individual in a laboratory containing flammable materials. The circumstances regarding how the person gained access to the laboratory were not provided.

Subsequently, the individual broke a fourth-floor window. The police officers attempted to engage in conversation with the person, who reportedly expressed a desire to end their life and was observed holding a lighter and a metal object. The police then called for assistance from firefighters and an ambulance.

At around 1:30 am, the individual rose from the floor and sat on the window ledge, with their legs hanging over the edge. The person requested that the police leave, and a few minutes later, tragically fell from the window, resulting in their death. Despite the efforts of paramedics to revive the individual, their attempts proved unsuccessful.

The BEI’s mandate includes investigating incidents where a person dies during a police intervention. They have not released the identity of the deceased individual.

For individuals in crisis, various resources and hotlines are available for support:


- Tel-Aide Outaouais offers French-language mental health telephone support from 8 am to midnight every day: 613-722-6914
- Suicide prevention telephone intervention line: 1 866-APPELLE (1 866-277-3553)
- Hope for Wellness Helpline (English, French, Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut): 1-855-242-3310
- LigneParents Helpline: 1-800-361-5085 (in French only)
- Tel-jeunes Helpline: 1-800-263-2266
- Trans Lifeline: 1-877-330-6366
- Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868

Photo caption: SPVG cruiser 

Photo credit: Alana Repstock