A reminder from RCMP about the dangers of strong currents in Sask. waters

RCMP are reminding people about the dangers of the strong currents in Saskatchewan waters, as we head into summer.

In a release, RCMP in the Loon Lake, La Ronge and Maidstone detachments say strong currents in Saskatchewan lakes and rivers are responsible for the disappearance of two children and a young man in the last two weeks.

On July 4, an 18-year-old man was tubing with friends on the Battle River south of Waseca. A thunderstorm rolled into the area and his friends lost track of him.

Hundreds of local residents joined in the search for him, on foot, quads, horses, side-by-sides, boats, canoes and kayaks.

Sadly, the body of the deceased man was later located downstream by the Saskatchewan Underwater Recovery Team.

On July 3, La Ronge RCMP responded to the report of the disappearance of a 6-year-old boy who was swimming in the Sucker River near the community of Sucker River.

Strong currents where the river enters the mouth of Lac La Ronge pulled the boy away from his group.

Emergency services and several community members joined in a search for the boy.

Tragically, the boy’s body was found later in the evening.

On June 23, Loon Lake RCMP responded to a report about the disappearance of a 6-year-old boy who had been playing on a sandbar at the southeast end of Makwa Lake, near the Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation.

A search was organized, involving emergency services, members of the community and family members.

The body of the 6-year-old has not been recovered at this time, and the search continues.

RCMP reminds residents that waters can look calm, but be dangerous at the same time, as the currents can be strong.

The Saskatchewan RCMP says it would like to thank the many volunteers and professionals who have helped with the searches for these three young people in the past two weeks.