RCMP are set to hold a media briefing on Wednesday regarding the search for a six-year-old boy who went missing more than one week ago in southern Alberta.
Darius Macdougall was reported missing Sept. 21 after he didn’t return from a walk with six young relatives in the Crowsnest Pass area, where the family from Lethbridge, Alta., had been camping.
RCMP had maintained optimism for finding the boy alive but said last weekend his chances of survival had decreased to less than five per cent.
The update is set for noon on Wednesday.
According to police, Macdougall is autistic and, while he is verbal, he may not respond to his name. Special search tactics have included playing the boy’s favourite song and avoiding the use of loud noises during the search.
Cpl. Gina Slaney said Tuesday crews were looking again in “higher probability” areas previously searched and following up on leads from the public.
Searchers have described the area as mountainous, with lots of elevation changes, streams and deadfall. Overnight temperatures have recently dropped to the low single digits.
