Searchers find no sign of boy who went missing from B.C. beach

Despite a massive search Friday, no signs have been found of a missing eight-year-old boy who was last seen playing on a rocky beach near the Vancouver Island village of Tofino on Friday morning.

Police said it's not clear whether the boy, a visitor from Bellingham, Wash., was swept into the water or lost in the heavy forest in the area.

Canadian Forces Sgt. Ron Condly of the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Victoria said the boy, named William, went missing on a beach at the edge of Tonquin Park, which is south of Tofino.

The boy, who had been staying with his parents David and Camilla Pilkenton in a bed and breakfast near Tofino, was last seen wearing a red coat with horizontal white stripes, denim jeans and rubber boots.

Condly said the boy's father was with him Friday morning around 10 a.m. PT. However, police say the father left the boy for a short period of time and when he returned the boy was gone.

His dad called 911, and a massive search of the wild and desolate coastline kicked in, drawing about 100 people, including local authorities and residents.

"I closed my coffee shop; the whole town is involved,'' one Tofino resident told CBC News.

RCMP Sgt. Dave Lucas said searchers were aided by a helicopter and local aircraft.

A Canadian Forces Search and Rescue Cormorant helicopter and planes from Atleo Airlines and Tofino Air were taking part, as well as members of the Ahousaht First Nation, Parks Canada employees, police and social services workers.