Private divers to search river for boy's body

Divers are preparing to go back into Winnipeg's Red River to search for the body of a six-year-old boy — but this time it is a private company, not police.

The Manitoba Search and Rescue Association (MSRA) intends to double the area covered by the Winnipeg police dive unit, which called off its search earlier this week.

On Wednesday, the police service said it had done all it could, searching a 15-metre-wide area of the river near the Disraeli Overpass in the city's Point Douglas neighbourhood.

'You're going to see a very large-scale ice rescue and recovery conducted with probably about 20 to 25 support personnel and eight divers being rotated in and out of the water.' —MSRA search commander George Leonard

Nathaniel Thorassie, 6, and his brother, Ralph Chartrand, 10, were playing on the thin ice when they fell through on Saturday.

His brother was rescued by a passerby, but Nathaniel could not be found. Ralph was treated in hospital and released on Monday.

MSRA search commander George Leonard said Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO), the northern chiefs group, requested his help.

As long as conditions are good, MSRA divers will go into the water on Saturday, Leonard said.

"You're going to see a very large-scale ice rescue and recovery conducted with probably about 20 to 25 support personnel and eight divers being rotated in and out of the water," he said.

Divers may have two days to search for the boy's body before the river completely freezes over, Leonard said.