The search for an 11-year-old boy who was swept away in the fast flowing waters of the Yoho River near Takkakaw Falls Friday evening (July 22) has been scaled back.
Parks Canada led an extensive ground and aerial search Friday night and all day Saturday along the turbulent river before scaling efforts back on Sunday when there was still no sign of Behzad Ahmad, of Calgary.
Parks Canada officials say they will continue to regularly monitor the area in the coming weeks as water levels change for any sign of the boy, noting they haven’t found any articles clothing and a search dog didn’t pick up the boy’s scent along the edge of the river.
“The finding of him is unlikely and the family is prepared for that, but we’re still trying to do everything we can and bring closure for the family,” said Dwight Bourdin, resource conservation manager for Lake Louise, Yoho and Kootenay.
“It’s one of those unfortunate tragedies and our hearts and thoughts are with the boy’s family and friends.”
Ahmad fell into the Yoho River just below the pedestrian bridge at the Takkakaw Falls day use area about 7:20 p.m., Friday.
Family members have said Ahmad was sitting on the rocks by the river when he slipped into the turbulent river. They said the boy’s brother tried to grab him, but also fell into the water.
A 14-year-old cousin jumped in and was able to bring Ahmad’s younger brother to safety. The cousin then ran downstream, according to family members, grabbed Ahmad’s hand, but with a big rock between them, their hands came loose and Ahmad was swept away.
Bourdin said he did not have any more specific details.
“There were two boys that fell in and one was immediately pulled to safety and the other boy was swept down the river,” he said.
“We did have immediate efforts by some bystanders on site, and they assisted by going downriver and kind of providing a monitoring point to see if they could spot the individual.”
The search covered a 20-kilometre stretch of water, including the Yoho River to where it meets the Kicking Horse River and beyond to the flats where the Kicking Horse runs towards Field, B.C.
Bourdin said conditions for the search were difficult, noting the river is high, flowing fast and very milky in colour. There are also deep canyons, as well as debris and logjams in the river.
“At this time, no signs of him have been found through the ground search,” said Bourdin. “Aerial is the best option at locating the boy now.”
Parks Canada led the search with the help of other agencies, including Golden-Field RCMP, Field Fire Department, B.C. Ambulance and Golden Search and Rescue, with the support of two helicopters.
Park Canada also called on dog handler Mike Henderson and his rescue dog Cazz.
On Friday night, there were 35 people from multiple agencies on the ground and 13 people the following day involved in the search. By Sunday, there was a continued aerial search and five people on the ground.
“We will do regular flights based on the conditions we’re seeing with the river,” Bourdin said. “It will continue into fall.”
