Ottawa teens who died falling through ice attended the same high school

Community reeling from teen deaths A vigil was held to grieve the lives of two teenagers who lost their lives after falling through ice on the Rideau River. CTV's Dalia Ashry

The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board is extending their condolences to the families of two Barrhaven 17-year-olds who died on Wednesday evening after falling through ice on the Rideau River.

CTV News confirms Ahmed Ahmed, identified in a GoFundMe campaign as Ahmed Haitham, and Riley Cotter attended John McCrae Secondary School in Ottawa's south-end.

"This is very sad news for us all. This tragedy will be felt deeply by students and staff in our community. We have reached out to the families of the students, and have extended condolences on behalf of the JMSS community," OCDSB spokesperson Diane Pernari said in a statement

"Our first priority is to ensure that we are supporting the families of the students and our school community in any way that we can. Communication was shared with the school community yesterday."

The OCDSB has made a mental health team available to support students. Staff requiring assistance can connect with the district's Employee and Family Assistance Program.

The mental health team will be on site on Jan. 8 to support students and staff.

"At this time, we do not have any additional information to share," the OCDSB said.

The Cotter family remembered Riley as someone who was liked by everyone and loved skiing, playing baseball, dirt biking and skateboarding. He was also a member of the Calabogie Ski Racing Club.

"We are so saddened by the loss of our beloved son and brother, Riley, who tragically passed away this week," the family said in a statement to CTV News.

"The support from our family, Riley’s school mates, our friends and neighbours and the community has been overwhelming and we appreciate all that everyone has done for us. We know that we will never get over this loss and Riley we will think about you and miss you every day. We love you buddy."

Riley’s sister Tori added: "Even though you are my little brother I would always look up to you in what you did. I’ll always be your big sister, you will be forever loved."

The GoFundMe campaign for Ahmed said he was due to finish school in 2024 and had aspirations of becoming a police officer.

Ottawa city councillor for Barrhaven West David Hill, whose own children attend JMSS, called the deaths a tragedy and said there will likely be conversations in the future about the dangers of ice on lakes and rivers.

“This is a real gut punch for the community," Hill said.

"I think the first few days are the shock and just internalizing what’s happened. We are going to have those conversations moving forward but I think in the short term it’s important that we are there for the family and friends."

Police found the bodies of Ahmed and Cotter after an extensive search that concluded on Thursday evening. A group of four teenagers fell through the ice on the Rideau River.

The GoFund Me page set up in memory of Ahmed said he and his friends had gone out for a skate at Nicolls Island Wednesday night.

Two teenagers were treated with mild symptoms of hypothermia and one search diver was injured.

The Coroner's Office is investigating the deaths of the two teens.

With files from CTV News Ottawa's Natalie van Rooy