Sep. 15, 2004. 10:32 AM
Senior trampled in post-game melee
Number of officers hurt during Front St. confrontations
CURTIS RUSH
STAFF REPORTER THESTAR.COM
An elderly man was seriously injured by a Toronto police horse last night during a downtown melee that erupted after Canada's 3-2 win over Finland in the World Cup of Hockey final at the Air Canada Centre.
The Special Investigations Unit is now investigating.
In a news release, the SIU said a 76-year-old man was taken to St. Michael's hospital suffering from a ruptured spleen and fractured ribs.
"This poor old man got injured," said witness Anathea Zucchiatti. "He got trampled by the horse. There was blood all over his face."
The SIU, a civilian agency that investigates circumstances that result in injury or death, said it has designated one subject officer and four witness officers, all from the police mounted unit.
After the game, a throng of rowdy fans made their way from the Air Canada Centre up Bay St. and onto Front St. across from Union Station. A number of fans began jumping up and down on taxicabs and crowds rocked cars back and forth.
Police officers, including of the members of the mounted unit, began clashing with the out-of-control fans at about 10:40 p.m.
According to police, 19 people were arrested during the confrontation.
"Criminal charges pending are mischief, assault police and being intoxicated in a public place," Const. Wendy Drummond said.
"We don't have a number on how many were charged, just that 19 were arrested."
Eleven police officers were injured while trying to control the crowds, including two officers "thrown off motorcycles," Drummond said. All of the injuries to police officers were minor, she added.
As of this morning, some of those arrested have been charged and released, while others will be appearing at Old City Hall court for a bail hearing.
Celebrations in other cities were more muted and there were no arrests reported outside of Toronto.