Hamilton police cleared by SIU in mental health call where senior fractured hip

Ontario's police watchdog has cleared Hamilton police in an investigation into how a 78-year-old man fractured his hip during a mental health call earlier this month.

A family member called police on May 3, expressing concern about the 78-year-old's well-being, said the Special Investigations Unit.

Two police officers went to the man's Jerome Crescent apartment where, based on comments the man made, he was apprehended under the Mental Health Act.

Police brought him to hospital where he fell off a chair as he went to sit down, the SIU said. He fractured his right hip.

SIU director Joseph Martino concluded the fall appears to have been a simple, albeit unfortunate, accident."

The SIU is an arm's-length agency that investigates incidents involving police in Ontario where someone is seriously hurt, killed or there is an allegation of sexual assault.

Nicole O'Reilly is a Hamilton-based reporter covering crime and justice for The Spectator. Reach her via email: noreilly@thespec.com