RCMP is scheduled to provide an update on Wednesday concerning the ongoing search for a six-year-old boy who disappeared over a week ago in southern Alberta. Darius Macdougall was reported missing on September 21 after failing to return from a walk with six young relatives in the Crowsnest Pass region, where his family, hailing from Lethbridge, Alberta, was camping.
Despite initial optimism, RCMP stated that the boy’s chances of survival had dwindled to less than five percent by last weekend. Authorities have announced a media briefing at noon on Wednesday to share the latest developments. Macdougall, who is autistic, may not respond to his name though he is capable of verbal communication. In the search efforts, specialized tactics such as playing his favorite song and minimizing loud noises have been implemented.
Cpl. Gina Slaney mentioned that search teams are revisiting areas with higher likelihoods of finding the boy and pursuing leads provided by the public. The search terrain is characterized as mountainous, featuring varying elevations, streams, and obstacles like deadfall. Recent nights have seen temperatures dropping to the low single digits, adding challenges to the search operation.