A 16-year-old boy who fell off a boat into Gregoire Lake Saturday afternoon is now believed to have drowned, RCMP said in an update Tuesday morning.
Wood Buffalo RCMP received a call for help from a concerned boater at around 3:20 p.m. The boater reported seeing the teen, who was on a small watercraft, fall into the water. The boat the boy was believed to be on was later found washed up on shore.
RCMP, firefighters, police and search and rescue searched for the teen’s body all weekend, but it was not found.
Police said physical dives were completed in the lake on Sunday and Monday by a volunteer dive team from Camrose called Central Alberta Rescue Dive Society (CARDS).
Due to shallow and rough water in the area, sonar and underwater cameras were used, but were limited in what they could provide emergency responders.
An RCMP helicopter also made air patrols on Sunday. Mounties said boat patrols will continue throughout the week.
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The family has been notified and the boy’s name is not being released by RCMP.
“Our sympathies are with the family and friends while emergency crews undergo this extensive search to locate the boy,” RCMP said.
Victim Services is also providing support to those who need it.
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Gregoire Lake is located in northern Alberta, about 40 kilometres southeast of Fort McMurray, near Highway 881, close to the Gregoire Lake Reserve.
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