'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
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
N.L. gardening store revives 19th century seed-packing machine
Technology from the 19th century has been brought out of retirement at a Newfoundland gardening store, as staff look for all the help they can get to fill orders during a busy season.