Skip to main content

'We couldn't do anything': The search continues for 12-year-old boy presumed drowned in Whiteshell Provincial Park

The search for a 12-year-old Winnipeg boy presumed drowned continued Sunday in Whiteshell Provincial Park, one day after he fell into the water.

The family of Usaid Habib are waiting for a moment of closure.

“They are searching for my son, inside the water I think, I haven’t met with the RCMP yet,” said Danish Habib, Usaid's father.

The family was staying in Nutimik campground in Whiteshell Provincial Park for the weekend. “My son. He was great. He was very helpful for everyone," said Danish.

On Saturday morning, they hiked to Sturgeon Falls. Shortly before noon, Usaid was climbing down the rocks, when he slipped and fell into the water.

“I heard the scream and I turned towards him and he was just slipping over there,” Danish said.

The boy went under almost immediately, disappearing into the rushing water.

“I just couldn’t do anything, anything for him. He just went over there and within two seconds he was in the rapids. I don’t know how to swim so I couldn’t save him," said Danish.

RCMP said a bystander tried to save Usaid but could not pull him to shore.

The Mounties' underwater recovery team scoured the area all day Saturday until sundown.

“I searched on my own. Going here, there, everywhere. Looking for something to find right. There was nothing,” sais Usaid's uncle, Muhammad Ovais Syed.

The search continued all day Sunday, to no avail.

“We believe they’re trying their best and we can see they’re trying their best,” said Syed.

Danish said it's an awful feeling. “It’s just a horrible memory because my whole family was here. Everybody saw him drowning and we couldn’t do anything for him.”

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

OPINION

OPINION Tom Mulcair: Why Anthony Rota had no choice but to resign

Anthony Rota had no choice but to resign as House Speaker after he invited a Nazi veteran to Parliament. But, as former NDP leader Tom Mulcair writes in a column for CTVNews.ca, if history is going to retain the profound embarrassment caused by his mistake, it should also recognize the contributions Rota has made to democratic life.

Ontario businessman loses $38K in cheque-cashing scam

An Ontario businessman says he has to pay about $38,000 after he was the victim of a cheque-cashing scam and failed to immediately report the fraudulent activity to his bank. The businessman says that the reason for the delay is because he doesn't use online banking.

Stay Connected