Locals watched the icy water with helplessness, as a recovery search continued Sunday for the nine-year-old boy who fell into Lake Erie on Saturday afternoon.
“It’s just so insanely tragic. And on a Family Day weekend of all the times,” said Denice McKenzie, who lives in the small, close-knit community of Peacock Point, Ont. The town is about 60 km south of Hamilton.
A search helicopter circled the water, while private citizens operated a drone hoping to spot the little boy.
Underwater search crews were at the scene, but ice conditions were too dangerous to go into the lake, Leclair said.
Boy’s sister ran for help
Police say the boy was on the ice Saturday afternoon with his eight-year-old friend and 10-year-old sister.
A wave swept the two boys into the water and the girl ran looking for help, said Const. Rodney Leclair, media relations officer with the Ontario Provincial Police.
The girl was able to flag down a car, he said, and two adults pulled the 8-year-old out of the water.
The adults could not rescue the nine-year-old, however. The ensuing search was deemed a recovery mission around 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
The eight-year-old boy is home from hospital unharmed, Leclair said. Police say the other child is presumed to have drowned.
FULL STORY: ‘Unfathomable’: Day-long search continues for 9-year-old boy in Lake Erie | CBC News
