Community says search will continue until men lost on Lake Winnipeg recovered
Posted July 12, 2024 6:37 pm.
The search for two men who are still missing on Lake Winnipeg has now hit the two-week mark, as it’s been 14 days since the original three-man fishing party was reported missing to RCMP in Grand Rapids, but those involved in ongoing search efforts say they’re still holding out hope and determined to bring them home.
The two men still missing, Delaney McGillvary and Rayden Dick were originally part of a three-person fishing party that included Tyler Ballantyne.
The three men were fishing in Lake Winnipeg when they failed to return home after hunting a moose, Ballantyne’s remains were found the next day, but the fact both Dick and McGillvary remain unaccounted for has left the Misipawistik Cree Nation heartbroken.
Ballantyne’s loved one and search party member, Ryan Ault says while searchers have been working around the clock, their work will continue until their loved ones are brought home.
“The general feeling between the searchers is they’re still close by that boat and having the technology to find the boat is what we’re lacking right now,” said Ault.
“That is the main focus, to bring closure to that family, to both those families, and to bring peace.”
RCMP has aimed all available resources at the effort and says there’s a possibility more resources will be requested in the coming days, as groups are meeting to discuss the next steps.
“You’ve got to narrow down areas of interest and then throw those resources at it,” said Sgt. Paul Manaigre.
“You’re embedded in the community, so you’re getting to know lots of these people and you see firsthand how it affects the community.”
As the search continues experts with the Lifesaving Society Manitoba are concluding the 20th year of its Northern Water Smart MB, and say the effort is critical, as it provides training directly to those who know these bodies of water best, especially against the backdrop of the ongoing search.
“It is potentially life-saving and life-altering,” said Dr. Christopher Love.
“We really want to get our message out there to everybody to think about water safety any time you’re in, on or around the water.”