The search for five-year-old Darius Macdougall entered its fourth day Wednesday, as search crews continue to comb rugged terrain near the Alberta-B.C. border.
Darius was last seen on Sunday, Sept. 21, while walking with family members near Island Lake Campground, around four kilometres south of Crowsnest Pass.
RCMP say he was with six other relatives, all believed to be young, when he went missing.
Search and rescue teams expanded the search area Wednesday to a 6.6-kilometre radius.
The operation reportedly includes 68 trained searchers from Alberta and B.C., two search dogs, an RCMP helicopter, and guidance from survival experts.
“We are still operating under the assumption that Darius is alive,” said Adam Kennedy, provincial training manager with Search and Rescue Alberta.
Kennedy said teams continued ground searches overnight despite difficult terrain that is slowing their progress.
Temperatures, which dropped to around 4 C on Monday night, remained milder on Tuesday at 11 C and are expected to hold steady.
RCMP Cpl. Gina Slaney said Darius is autistic and may not respond if his name is called, While he is verbal, she noted he might not interact with strangers.
An Amber Alert has not been issued, as there is currently no evidence of foul play or abduction.
Slaney said a red substance found in the area, but it was tested and determined not to be blood.
Macdougall is described as four feet tall with short brown hair, and he was last seen wearing a blue/grey hoodie and sweats.
Search teams remain in close contact with the boy’s family, who have requested privacy.
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