Civilian watchdog involved after 11-storey fall
Man injured during arrest by police, satellite dish may have saved woman
Last Updated: Thursday, August 5, 2010 | 2:34 PM ET
CBC News
A woman who fell 11 storeys from a Toronto apartment balcony appears to have had her fall broken by this satellite dish. (CBC)Ontario's civilian Special Investigations Unit is looking into a case in North York where a man was injured during his arrest by police Wednesday afternoon after a woman survived an 11-storey fall.
The woman, who is believed to be in her 20s, fell from an apartment balcony at 150 Graydon Hall Dr. near the Don Valley Parkway and Highway 401.
Toronto police were at an apartment on the 19th floor of the building for another reason when they were called about a disturbance on the 11th floor, which they say was unrelated.
"As they were responding to the [second] call, a woman ended up going over the balcony from the 11th floor," said Det. Darren Berezowski.
Police believe the only reason she survived the drop was because she landed on a ground-floor satellite dish, which they say cushioned her fall.
Police arrested a man in connection with the incident. He suffered cuts to his hands and wrists as a result of an "interaction" with officers, the SIU said without elaborating.
Four police officers were also treated for minor injuries at the scene. Police were not releasing any further details.
There were initial reports that the man was charged with attempted murder, but police later said they could not confirm any charges because the SIU is involved.
The SIU would not confirm if any charges have been laid.
The province's civilian Special Investigations Unit investigates incidents whenever there's a death or injury while police are involved.
Neighbours also said the apartment was being used as a massage parlour, but police would not confirm if that was the case.
An online search for 150 Graydon Hall Dr. lists a business at that address as "Oriental Sunshine" on the website exoticmassageguide.com. The apartment number is not specified.
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