Police have launched a criminal investigation after a Manitoulin Island resident was flown by emergency helicopter to southern Ontario to treat severe burns.
On Aug. 26 at around 7 p.m., Wikwemikong Tribal Police, Manitoulin Ontario Provincial Police, as well as firefighters and paramedics, were dispatched to Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory for a person who suffered severe burns.
The burns were so severe, the person was flown by an Ornge (Ontario’s emergency medical transport service) helicopter to a burn unit in southern Ontario. Const. Rob Lewis of Nipissing West OPP, which issued a news release on the incident, was unaware which burn unit the person was transported to.
There are two main burn units in southern Ontario, one in Hamilton and one in Toronto. It seems most likely the person was transported to the Ross Tilley Burn Centre at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto.
Lewis said police cannot say if the person was deliberately set on fire, but the involvement of the OPP’s Criminal Investigation Branch suggests police are looking into the possibility it was on purpose.
“Investigators believe this is an isolated incident and there are no concerns for public safety.
Further updates will be provided when they become available,” OPP said.
Anyone with information related to this case is asked to call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Anonymous tips can be made to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at ontariocrimestoppers.ca where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.