B.C. forests minister injured after being knocked to the ground, police and premier's office say
Police say a Good Samaritan may have helped Katrine Conroy before or after incident
The province's forests minister was injured in an incident Tuesday night, according to police and the premier's office, and officers are investigating.
The premier's office said Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development Katrine Conroy was knocked to the ground and suffered minor injuries while walking home from the Legislature in Victoria on Tuesday between 8 and 8:30 p.m.
Premier John Horgan's office said a police report has been filed and Conroy is recovering.
"Premier Horgan, the cabinet, and the entire B.C. NDP caucus are supporting Minister Conroy in any way that she needs," the statement read, and Horgan's Twitter account also sent a message of support.
I'm very upset my friend Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/KatrineConroy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KatrineConroy</a> was knocked to the ground & hurt last night walking home from the Legislature. Kat's one of the toughest people I know & she'll continue working hard for people. I encourage any potential witnesses to please contact <a href="https://twitter.com/vicpdcanada?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VicPDCanada</a>.
—@jjhorganThe Victoria Police Department (VicPD), in a statement of its own, confirmed they are investigating the incident, which was reported to them Wednesday afternoon.
According to police, Conroy went to hospital to be treated for her injuries.
The police have not given any further details about what happened, or the nature of Conroy's injuries, except to say a Good Samaritan might have assisted the minister during or after the incident.
"We are asking for that person to contact police," a VicPD spokesperson wrote in an email. "We are in the early stages of the investigation."
CBC News contacted Conroy's spokesperson and VicPD for further details. The government spokesperson said police will handle all further questions.
Police have not confirmed if there is evidence to suggest the incident happened because of Conroy's role in government.
Police and the premier's office are asking anyone with information to contact VicPD's non-emergency line: 250-995-7654 ext. 1.