A 36-year-old man died after allegedly jumping into the Erie Canal to evade police following a traffic stop in Tonawanda.

TONAWANDA, N.Y. — A man is dead after allegedly trying to evade police in the City of Tonawanda early Thursday morning. 

City of Tonawanda Police say an officer observed a vehicle and a traffic law infraction at the intersection of Main Street and Niagara Street just after 1am. 

According to police, the driver of the vehicle headed north over the Renaissance Bridge into North Tonawanda.  Police stopped the vehicle on Webster Street in North Tonawanda.   The man allegedly fled from police on foot.  

Police say they chased the driver along a nearby building and into an alley, and continued through towards Gateway Harbor along the Erie Canal. 

Investigators say the man allegedly jumped into the canal to evade officers. 

Additional City of Tonawanda Police Department officers responded and threw a water rescue bag to the man, police said. Officers began pulling him toward shore, but he lost consciousness. One officer entered the canal and brought him to shore.

Officers and members of the Tonawanda Fire Department performed life-saving measures. The man was taken to Kenmore Mercy Hospital, where he later died, according to police.

Police say the 36-year-old man had outstanding warrants from two other law enforcement agencies. 

Because a death occurred, the Erie County District Attorney’s Office and the New York State Attorney General’s Office have been contacted.  

Police are not releasing the name of the man until the family is notified.Â