RCMP drones search for young boy who fell into Guysborough river
RCMP asking public not to use drones in areas where police are present
Drones piloted by Mounties were taking to the skies in Guysborough County on Wednesday in the search for a four-year-old boy who fell into the water along a river.
RCMP said the boy was fishing on the Salmon River close to where it empties into Chedabucto Bay with a man and another child on Thursday afternoon. The man jumped in the water immediately but wasn't able to rescue the child.
More than 13 agencies — including fire departments, volunteer search and rescue teams, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada — were called into service to help find the boy, but the search was suspended on Saturday at 5 p.m. AT.
RCMP said there was no information to suggest the child got out of the water safely.
On Wednesday, the Mounties said remotely piloted aircraft systems — also known as drones — would be canvassing certain areas of the county.
Police were asking the public to avoid using personal drones in areas where police were present to prevent interference with their equipment.
Concerned community members have continued to comb coastlines for the boy in the days after the official search was suspended, setting up a Facebook page titled The Search for Oakley to help track where members are scouring.
The boy was identified as four-year-old Oakley in a Facebook post by Guysborough-Tracadie MLA Greg Morrow earlier this week, who expressed gratitude to everyone who has been searching, and asked residents to "keep your porch light on for Oakley."
A GoFundMe page set up for Oakley's family by a relative said the money raised will support his parents, two brothers and sister.
"On their way to spend Easter with family, they stopped to enjoy a bit of fishing, and that's when every parent's worst nightmare became a reality," the page reads.
"Our family would like to take this opportunity to thank every single person — near and far — who has been searching, sending messages, donating, and praying."
Cast Away Cafe in Guysborough, N.S., posted in the Facebook group that it would be offering free coffee, grilled cheese sandwiches and soup to anyone helping with the search this week.
