Pass Herald: SEPT 24 UPDATE on Missing Child Search in Crowsnest Pass by Nicholas L. M. Allen
Alberta RCMP and Search and Rescue Alberta provided a virtual update on September 24 at 2:30 p.m. confirming that the search for five-year-old Darius Macdougall continues at full scale.
Cpl. Gina Slaney said RCMP resources on site include drones, a helicopter, forensic identification services, police dogs, the general investigation section, and an RCMP plane en route. She confirmed an item initially believed to be blood was tested and found not to be human or animal.
Victim family liaison officers are working directly with the family, who have asked for privacy and do not want interviews at this time.
Adam Kennedy, provincial training manager with Search and Rescue Alberta, said the current search radius extends three kilometres from the family’s campground and is being pushed to 6.6 kilometres. “Overnight, ground searches continued with helicopter support, search dogs, and drones. Today, 68 trained searchers from Alberta and B.C. are on site, along with RCMP resources,” Kennedy said.
Water searches have been conducted multiple times, and underwater teams are confident Darius is not in local lakes or ponds. Swift water crews continue to examine nearby streams.
Kennedy said terrain is slowing crews. “The amount of dead fall on the ground and the rocks in the area definitely slow search efforts down,” he explained. Overnight lows have ranged from 4 to 11 degrees Celsius. Wilderness medicine experts have advised that conditions remain survivable.
RCMP confirmed that when Darius was last seen, he was with six young family members and no adults. Investigators continue detailed interviews. Slaney added that this situation does not qualify for an Amber Alert, as there is no evidence of abduction.
Kennedy said about 100 personnel from multiple agencies are involved. He asked residents to stay clear of the area, warning that untrained volunteers could risk injury or disturb clues that might guide searchers.
Daily updates will continue. Anyone with information is asked to call the Crowsnest Pass RCMP at 403-562-2866 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
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