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A patient is dead after an “altercation” with security staff at the University of Alberta Hospital.

Family have identified the man as Darryl Sabourin, 45, who they say was in hospital for alcohol detox treatment.

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Sabourin’s sister-in-law Shauna Gordon claims he was restrained by peace officers and believes they used excessive force.

“He went there to get help, and he ended up dying a couple days later,” she said Thursday.

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Gordon cares for Sabourin’s four sons — aged 11 to 19 — who she says are stunned by the loss.

“They are extremely angry. They’re unable to breathe, just crying and crying in my house. It’s really devastating.”

According to Gordon, Sabourin was admitted to hospital March 4. She last spoke to him Saturday and urged him to get treatment for his alcohol issues.

“He said, ‘I want to see the boys,’ she said. “I said, ‘Go get some help.’ He said ‘OK, yeah I’m gonna do that. I’m gonna get some help.’ ”

Gordon said she learned of Sabourin’s death from his brother, Tim Dunham, who he was living with at the time. She rushed to the hospital, where staff told her Sabourin had been restrained by peace officers after growing agitated in the facility’s detox area early Wednesday morning.

There was an “altercation,” she said, during which her brother-in-law was restrained and eventually became unresponsive. Resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful.

Dunham said a doctor at the facility told him Sabourin was having issues with another patient who was making noise and asked for a new room. The family was told Sabourin was sober during the incident.

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“Security came, and I’m not sure how the altercation happened there, but he got away from them and ran to the nurse’s desk and was dialling 911,” he said.

Gordon said when she saw Sabourin’s body, his face was covered in bruises, and a tube filled with blood was in his throat. She and one of his sons prayed over the body before its transport to the medical examiners’ office. 

Gordon said Sabourin was Indigenous and came from Hay River, N.W.T. She and his sons are currently raising funds for a funeral.

Dunham said he was in disbelief to hear of his brother’s death.

“I wanted to go back to sleep and wake up and everything was OK,” he said. His brother was a “good guy” who was always there for his loved ones, he added.

“He was trying to better his life.”

‘A tragic situation’ AHS

Alberta Health Services (AHS) spokesperson Kerry Williamson declined to give specific details about Sabourin’s death, but called it a “tragic situation.”

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased,” he said in an email. “We have been in contact with the family and will work with them to answer any questions they might have.”

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He added the University of Alberta quality assurance council will review the incident along with the medical examiner.

“To protect the privacy and confidentiality of the patient and family, no further information will be released at this time,” Williamson said.

An Edmonton Police Service spokesperson said city police are investigating the death. Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASRIT) director Michael Ewenson had not been informed of the case as of Thursday morning. A University of Alberta spokesperson deferred comment to AHS.

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