Police say hospital 'bomb threat' might just have been man seeking care for chemical exposure

Saskatoon’s Royal University Hospital (RUH) and Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital (JPCH) were under lockdown following a bomb threat Wednesday morning, but police soon discovered it may have been a misunderstanding.

Saskatoon’s Royal University Hospital (RUH) and Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital (JPCH) were under lockdown following a bomb threat Wednesday morning, but police soon discovered it may have been a misunderstanding.

Saskatoon police said the call came in around 11:30 a.m. reporting a man in a vehicle outside the ambulance bay, potentially armed with an explosive device.

Shortly after, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) put out a public alert.

“A Code Black has been called at the Royal University Hospital / Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital emergency department in Saskatoon, indicating a bomb threat has been reported,” the SHA said in a post on X just after noon Wednesday.

“SHA staff and leadership are working in conjunction with the Saskatoon police to ensure the safety of patients and staff, and have activated the appropriate protocols.”

Saskatoon police alerted the public to an ongoing incident in the area just before noon. Police said traffic restrictions were in place and members of the public should avoid the area.

The hospitals were locked down while police and fire crews flooded the area with personnel. The police tactical vehicle, or bearcat, was on the scene, parked outside the old RUH entrance.