Helicopters are buzzing above the sunny skies of southern Alberta as the search intensifies for six-year-old Darius Macdougall, now in its fourth day. Search and Rescue Alberta’s Adam Kennedy announced the expansion of the search area from three to 6.6 kilometres due to the challenging terrain, which includes obstacles like deadfall and rocks that slow down search efforts for safety reasons.
Approximately 100 individuals are actively involved in the ground search and rescue operations. Despite the difficulties posed by the rugged landscape, hope persists within the team as they continue searching for Macdougall with the belief that he could still be found alive.
Darius Macdougall, who is autistic, went missing after a walk with six family members near their campsite at Island Lake Campground near the Alberta-B.C. border. Concerns have been raised about his verbal communication skills and potential reluctance to respond to calls for his name during the search efforts.
The entrance to the campground has been closed to the public as search crews, consisting of a combination of Alberta and B.C. teams, continue their tireless efforts. Search operations involve rotating shifts, with searchers supported by various resources including RCMP helicopters, search dogs, and drones.
Search teams are also exploring bodies of water in the vicinity, as the search expands and intensifies. The favorable weather conditions, with last night’s temperature around 11°C and expected similar conditions tonight, provide some relief for the search teams.
While foul play is not suspected, the RCMP is maintaining a comprehensive investigation approach, exploring all possible avenues to uncover the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of Darius Macdougall.