Detailed specialists help in search for missing Alberta boy on day 6

The search continues for six-year-old Darius Macdougall as specialists are on the ground searching for detailed clues, officials said Saturday.

Adam Kennedy with Search and Rescue Alberta (SARA) says the search is not being scaled back as search efforts are proceeding.

RCMP information officer Gina Slaney says the search is now aided by 60 Tactical Support Group officers who are “specifically trained to help with searches like this.”

She says they find small details and pieces of evidence, which require working shoulder-to-shoulder as they scour the area.

“They’re researching the area where Darius was last believed to be. So that’s a huge, huge asset for us right now,” she said.

“They’re looking for anything, anything which could give us some more information as to where Darius might be.”

Of the 225 personnel helping find Darius, 128 are SARA volunteers from across Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan, says Kennedy.

Additionally, the family from Lethbridge is receiving assistance from Victim Family Liaison officers, who are providing updates and support when they can.

“They are 100 per cent dedicated to the family. They’re our main line of contact between RCMP, Search and Rescue, and the family,” Slaney explained.

“We’re making sure they have food … a safe place to go and shower and clean their clothes. We’re doing absolutely everything we can do to assist the family in this horrible, horrible time for them.”

Meanwhile, the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass has a public information centre to support residents who wish to provide tips and information on the search effort. There are maps of the area inside to help direct officers to hidden spots they may be unaware of.

“If you think you know the area very well and you might know potential hiding places, safe places, this is an opportunity for you to go have a look at these maps and point out potential areas, tips that you think might be beneficial to the investigation,” Slaney said.

It is located in the curling lounge at the Crows Nest Sports Complex, located in Coleman and is open from 3-5 p.m.

RCMP warn to avoid area, not to fly drones

Slaney said Crowsnest Pass RCMP responded to reports of an injured hiker in the area where Darius went missing at around 9:26 a.m.

He was found with sustained serious injuries and required a longline to retrieve him. He’s expected to have a full recovery.

However, Slaney says the rescue, while fortunate, is a good reminder of why police are asking people to avoid the area as they search for Darius, even if some want to help.

“The terrain is very, very dangerous. And if you were to get hurt, it pulls resources away,” she said.

“We just we want to we want everybody to be careful.”

She adds that no resources from the search were used to save the hiker.

RCMP are also saying recreational drones are prohibited in the search area, and a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) is in place because it has its own planes, helicopters, and drones in the air.

“If we have other things flying in the air that aren’t supposed to be there, that could actually inhibit our search efforts. So we have to be very careful with the airspace around the search scene,” Slaney said.

RCMP have said Darius didn’t return from a walk with several young family members to their campsite in the Crowsnest Pass area of the Rocky Mountains.