By: Jeff Pelletier, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

IQALUIT (LJI) – A pedestrian was struck and killed early Saturday morning in a motor vehicle collision that drew a police and emergency services response, the Nunavut RCMP says.

The incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. on Aug. 10, said a news release RCMP sent out late Monday afternoon — more than two and a half days later.

The release did not provide the victim’s name, age or gender.

When asked for that information, RCMP spokesperson Staff Sgt. Maj. Pauline Melanson said she could not provide those details due to the ongoing investigation.

The RCMP asked anyone who might have seen anything to call them.

The collision resulted in the closure of approximately 200 metres of Sivumugiaq Street (formerly Federal Road) between the Aqsarniit hotel and the RCMP’s Nunavut headquarters, the release said.

The closure forced taxis and other vehicles picking up passengers leaving the hotel at last call to diverge as officers and first responders told passersby to keep a distance from the scene.

Nunavut’s coroner’s office is investigating, an employee who refused to identify themselves confirmed over the phone.

“I cannot tell you anything yet because it’s still under investigation, and I’m still waiting on some reports from [the] RCMP,” the coroner’s office employee said.

The coroner’s office is responsible for investigating all sudden, unnatural, unexpected, unattended and unexplained deaths in the territory, according to its website.

A vehicle with coroner’s office markings was on the scene Saturday at around 2:30 a.m.

A City of Iqaluit ambulance and fire Chief Steve McGean were also on scene.

“We cannot respond to questions at this time as this is an ongoing police investigation,” said city spokesperson Geoff Byrne in an email.

By Saturday afternoon, the area of the collision was cleared, except for some yellow paint sprayed on the roadway by the investigating officers.

Those markers were still visible Monday afternoon.