Parks Canada officials are searching for a 11-year-old boy after reports he fell into the Yoho River near the Takkakaw Falls in Yoho National Park Friday.
Officials were notified at 7:40 p.m. They said the boy was playing with another boy by the water’s edge when they both fell in.
“He was in an extended family group and they were along the banks of the Yoho River,” Parks Canada spokesperson Tania Peters said.
“It was actually two boys that fell in and very thankfully, very quick thinking, they were able to get one boy out. Very unfortunately, they couldn’t get them both.
“So now we have an 11-year-old who is missing but very grateful that we do not have two young boys who we are searching for,” Peters said.
They led “an extensive aerial and ground search of the Yoho River until approximately 10:30 p.m.,” Parks Canada said in a news release.
Golden-Field RCMP, firefighters, two helicopters, paramedics and Golden Search and Rescue helped look for the boy.
The search began again at first light on Saturday, when a Parks Canada dog handler was also called in.
Peters said the river is at high volume right now and is flowing quite quickly.
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Officials say the incident is described as a missing persons case. The RCMP is taking the lead on the investigation.
“The thoughts of all Parks Canada personnel are with the young man’s family and friends,” the parks group said.
“This is an incredibly sad and incredibly difficult situation,” Peters said, holding back tears. “We’re going to do everything we can to try to find him.”
Yoho National Park is about 200 kilometres west of Calgary and approximately 30 kilometres northwest of Lake Louise.
No areas of the park were closed Saturday as the search continued.
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