An investigation is underway after a 48-year-old man died while in Saint John police custody.

Police said the man was detained under the Intoxicated Persons Detention Act around 6 p.m. Thursday.

“The man was transported to the Saint John Police detention facility. While in custody, the man was found unresponsive in his cell,” police said in a news release on Friday.

Officers and paramedics tried to save the man, however, he was pronounced dead.

The Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) was contacted and has taken over the investigation. The Coroner’s Office was also contacted to attend the scene.

SiRT investigates matters that involve death, serious injury, sexual assault and domestic violence or other matters of significant public interest that may have arisen from the actions of any police officer.

In-Custody Deathhttps://t.co/v3HGcvtVTx pic.twitter.com/mFEkHbqU2X

— Saint John Police (@saintjohnpolice) December 15, 2023