Two siblings, aged 10 and 13, hailing from Winnipeg, are suspected to have entered the swift rapids close to Sturgeon Falls Trail at Nutimik Lake in Manitoba over the weekend. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have initiated a search operation with their underwater retrieval team and the Hutterian Emergency Aquatic Response Team (HEART).
Authorities were alerted just after 12:30 p.m. on Saturday regarding a potential drowning incident at Whiteshell Provincial Park, where the boys had fallen into the rapids and not resurfaced. Despite an extensive search by police, local firefighters, and other emergency personnel using boats and drones, the boys remain missing.
Staff Sgt. Cory Meyers of Lac du Bonnet RCMP highlighted the search efforts concentrated around the falls and its strong current. While there have been previous successful search operations in the area, Meyers mentioned plans to expand the search into Nutimik Lake.
Although it is early in the investigation, there are significant indicators suggesting that the boys may have drowned, according to Meyers. The search continues with the boys’ parents on-site, deeply affected by the situation.
Notably, a tragic incident occurred in June 2025 when a 38-year-old woman drowned at the same spot, with a 12-year-old boy meeting a similar fate in May 2023. The falls, situated between Numao and Nutimik lakes along the Winnipeg River, approximately 135 kilometers east of Winnipeg near the Manitoba-Ontario border, pose a significant risk due to slippery rocks and treacherous currents.
Meyers emphasized the importance of maintaining a safe distance from the water near the falls, cautioning against the rapid and challenging nature of the current. Utilizing personal flotation devices, such as life jackets, is strongly advised to enhance safety in and around the water.