Watch above: Five teens between the ages of 13 and 17 were rescued Monday from an island in Reindeer Lake. Aaron Streck bring us the latest on the youth, who are back home in Southend.
SOUTHEND, Sask. – RCMP have confirmed they’ve located the five missing teens in northern Saskatchewan.
The five people observed by Civilian Air Search and Rescue (CARASA) on the shoreline of Malcolm Island at 12:50 p.m. Monday have been identified as the five youth reported missing to Southend RCMP last week.
Due to weather, a rescue boat picked up the youth on one side of island and transported them to the other side, where there is a small airstrip. CASARA was able to land at that airstrip and take them in two trips back to Southend, Sask.
They were all safely back in the community around 4:50 p.m.
All are said to be in good health, but are being taken to the Arthur Morin Memorial Health Center in the community as a precaution.
RCMP are still gathering details surrounding the incident.
Malcolm Island is located approximately 10 kilometres south of the community of Kinoosao near the Manitoba border.
The five, one female and four males between 13 and 17, were reported missing last Thursday after they left Southend, Sask on Nov. 4 with two aluminum boats to go moose hunting at Reindeer Lake.
They were reported missing after failing to return home on Nov. 6.
On Saturday, CASARA spotted two boats docked at a wharf of a privately owned lodge on the lake.
Poor weather delayed searchers from getting to the lodge until Sunday. They arrived to find the lodge broken into and supplies taken, leading police to believe the youth were still alive.
“The cabin was vacant at that point,” said RCMP spokeswoman Mandy Maier.
“We can’t say specifically it was them, but we do hope that they are safe at this point.”
Strong winds and large waves hampered search efforts both in the air and on water and temperatures ranged between -10 C and -18 C along with some snow.
“The weather has not been good in the area,” said Maier. “Ultimately our concern is the water is going to freeze possibly. It’s going to be snowing and cold.”
Cell service is spotty in the area, with little to no service except around Southend.
Reindeer Lake is the second largest lake in Saskatchewan and the ninth largest in Canada, with thousands of islands. It is located approximately 600 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon.
With files from The Canadian Press
Editor’s note: Initial reports from RCMP stated two female and three male youths were missing.
Comments