Search for missing boy continues into seventh day: RCMP

The search for Darius Macdougall in the Crowsnest Pass area is now in its seventh day. Experts say the probability the child is alive remains high.

The search for six-year-old Darius Macdougall, who has been missing in the southern Alberta wilderness for six days, continued into a seventh day Saturday.

The boy disappeared on Sunday morning.

Mounties say he and six family members left their campsite at the Island Lake Campground, about four kilometres south of Crowsnest Pass, to go for a walk.

When the group returned to the campsite, Macdougall wasn’t with them.

Professionals from multiple agencies are involved in the search, including teams from Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan.

The search teams are also being aided by drones with thermal imaging, dogs and helicopters.

‘Day to day’

At a Saturday afternoon update, RCMP Cpl. Gina Slaney said there are still no plans to start scaling back on the search.

“At this point, it’s day-to-day,” said Slaney, adding that “I can guarantee you there’s been no discussion about scaling back the search.”

Slaney said that a badly-injured hiker was discovered in the area and transported to hospital by STARS Air Ambulance.

She said no resources devoted to the search for Madcougall were used to rescue the injured hiker, but the incident did point to the need for people to not visit the search area.

“We do not want civilians to come to site to assist in the search,” she said. “Trails are dangerous and it could pull resources away if you got hurt.”

She said Darius’s family remains on scene as the search continues.

Public information centre in Coleman

A public information site has been opened at the curling lounge at the Crowsnest Sports Complex in Coleman for people to share their tips, she said.

It’s different from a support centre which has been set up at the Blairmore curling rink for community members to gather.

“If you think you know the area very well and you might know potential hiding places, safe places, this is an opportunity for you to go, have a look at these maps and point out potential areas, tips, that you might think might be beneficial to the investigation,” Slaney said.

Search and Rescue Alberta provincial training manager Adam Kennedy said around 225 personnel were on scene including 128 search-and-rescue personnel from Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia.

“Search dogs, a helicopter and drones with infrared cameras continue to be used,” Kennedy said, “(as well as) analysis of previous drone footage is also ongoing. Additional resources that continue to search are the Alberta Conservation Officers, Alberta Sheriffs, Fish and Wildlife officers, RCMP Air Services, RCMP police dog services, and as Gina mentioned, (an) RCMP tactical support group.”

Kennedy thanked the public for its interest in joining in the rescue effort but said not to.

“We do ask the public to please leave search efforts to the highly trained professionals on scene. Our search-and-rescue volunteers receive expert instruction in search and rescue techniques and protocols followed by in the field mentorship from mock scenarios and real world responses.”

RCMP say Macdougall has autism, and while verbal, may not respond to rescuers calling out his name.

The next update will be Sunday afternoon.

With files from CTV’s Melissa Gilligan