Vernon man burnt in Polson Park dies

A 53-year-old man who was badly burnt during an incident in Polson Park a few days before Christmas Day has died.

Vernon RCMP have confirmed the man died on Boxing Day, Dec. 26, 2021.

An earlier RCMP media release said the man was found at the intersection of 32 Street and 25 Avenue at 2 a.m. Dec. 22, and had been badly burnt while in Polson Park. He was rushed to hospital.

READ MORE: Vernon police seek witnesses after man burnt in suspicious circumstances

It's unclear whether the man was homeless and living in Polson Park. A source told iNFOnews.ca the 53-year-old regularly used services at the Upper Room Mission.

Police have released few details about the events surrounding the 53-year-old's death, only saying that circumstances surrounding the man’s death remain under investigation by both the RCMP and the B.C. Coroners Service.

RCMP have described the incident as a "suspicious occurrence."

READ MORE: Vernon RCMP deem death of person found downtown 'suspicious'

This is the second fatality to have happened outdoors and late and night in downtown Vernon in the last two weeks.

Yesterday, Jan 5, Vernon RCMP deemed the death of a person found outside Salvation Army House of Hope on 32 Avenue at 2 a.m. to be suspicious.

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