Members of the Ottawa Police Service underwater search team get ready to deploy an unmanned search and rescue vehicle into the water on Thursday. (Photograph by Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press)
In a heartbreaking turn of events, Ottawa police have confirmed the discovery of the body of the second teenager reported missing after a group of four youths fell through the ice on Ottawa's Rideau River on Wednesday night.
The search for the missing teen was temporarily halted overnight due to challenging conditions but resumed Thursday morning near Nicolls Island Road in the city's south end. A police underwater search and recovery team utilized an unmanned search vehicle and a diver to scour the river for any sign of the teenager.
Late on Thursday evening, in a news release, the police revealed that the body of the 16-year-old had been recovered after an extensive search effort. The identity of the second victim has not been disclosed.
"We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and all those affected by this tragic loss. This incident profoundly impacts us all, and our hearts go out to those who are grieving," read the police statement.
The earlier recovery of the body of 17-year-old Ahmed Ahmed, who was just shy of turning 18, added to the somberness of the situation. Ahmed, a high school student in Barrhaven with aspirations of becoming a police officer, was described as an active, sporty teenager by his family.
Paramedics were alerted to the incident around 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, with reports of four teenagers falling through the ice near Nicolls Island Road. Two youths, aged 15 and 17, were successfully rescued and treated for mild hypothermia, while a police diver required hospitalization for a diving-related emergency.
The missing teens were identified as 16 and 17-year-old boys. The incident occurred near Nicolls Island Road, approximately 20 kilometers south of Ottawa's downtown core, where the communities of Riverside South and Manotick intersect.
Ottawa has experienced a milder-than-usual December, with temperatures consistently above freezing for the past five days. In response to the tragedy, a provincial police detachment issued a reminder about ice safety, urging individuals to carefully assess the appearance, color, and thickness of ice before use.
Speaking at the scene, Ahmed's father, Haitham Mohammed, confirmed the tragic loss of his son. Ahmed's aunt, Faten Ataallah, remembered him as a jovial and caring teenager who had plans to pursue a post-secondary police foundations program.
The grief-stricken family, who arrived in Canada as refugees from Iraq a decade ago, received the devastating news approximately 20 minutes after Ahmed left their Nepean home to go skating with friends. The pain of losing a child was described by Ataallah as "the worst feeling ever."
Friends of Ahmed gathered at the river to honor his memory, with one describing him as a "good and kind person" who had a talent for lifting others' spirits, even in challenging situations.
Councilor David Brown, representing Rideau-Jock, expressed condolences to the affected families, emphasizing the tragedy of a young life being lost during what should be a joyful time of the year. He cautioned residents about the risks of thin ice, especially in areas not officially designated for recreational use, urging vigilance in light of the unseasonably mild weather.
