A man was found impaled on a metal stake on the grounds of a public school Friday, and now police are trying to determine just how he came to be in such a precarious, life-threatening position.
Investigators canvassed a North York neighbourhood hoping to corroborate the details of the bizarre and gruesome incident that began when police were called to the yard at Roywood Public School at
11 Roywood Dr., in the York Mills and DVP area, just before 7:30am.
Residents in the area apparently heard someone moaning and groaning in obvious distress and called police, who found the man impaled on
a reinforcing stake from a tree. The victim claims he was trying to escape some would-be robbers when he climbed a tree and fell onto the stake, but so far that story hasn't been confirmed.
Some found it hard to believe.
"No, I don't (believe it)," one area resident remarked. "Even if he was chased by a robber or some stranger, how can he climb (such) a small tree?"
Initially paramedics attempted to dig the pole out, but after that was taking too long they decided instead to cut it in half. Once freed, they rushed the man to hospital with part of the metal rod still in his body. The victim underwent surgery later Friday morning and while his injuries were serious he's expected to survive.
Police, however, won't be able to talk to him until Saturday.
Luckily there were no students on the grounds Friday morning as the school was closed for a PA day, but a nearby daycare was placed under lockdown as a precaution for a short time as investigators searched the neighbourhood for possible suspects.
Detectives are also hoping to speak with anyone who may have witnessed what happened to back up the man's story. The victim said he was chased by at least three men.
Authorities haven't released the victim's name but they have said that he's known to them.
The strange situation left some area parents feeling unsettled.
"It's weird ... like everywhere it seems not quite safe now," local mother Yun He said. "Like usually this neighbourhood should be fine, should be like paradise, but right now ... everywhere it's some weird scenes going on."