Man dies after acting strange, being restrained at gas station

CHEMULT, Ore. - A man acting erratically at a gas station died after he lost consciousness and stopped breathing as bystanders held him on the ground out of concern for a pregnant woman's safety, Oregon State Police said.

The incident unfolded Monday morning in Chemult, a small community on Highway 97 in northern Klamath County.

A 52-year-old man aroused concern from other people as he crossed the highway more than once and went behind a gas station and rolled around the dirt, police said. Chemult EMS got a call at 9:45 a.m. to respond.

While awaiting the ambulance, Witnesses tried to calm him by talking to him and giving him water.

As the ambulance arrived, the man jumped in front of it. He then approached a nearby apartment.

People nearby believed a pregnant woman was inside the apartment. Her father and others physically restrained the man on the ground out of concern for the woman. Medics asked Oregon State Police troopers to respond to the scene.

While on the ground, the man passed out and stopped breathing. Medics started CPR and called for an air ambulance. The man died before the air ambulance arrived.

State police said detectives will review the ongoing investigation with the Klamath County District Attorney's Office and an autopsy decision is pending.

The identities of the people involved have been withheld pending notification of next of kin.