What began as a playful afternoon of sledding turned into a heartbreaking incident as the search for a missing four-year-old girl in the Mistassibi River near Dolbeau-Mistassini, Quebec, has transitioned from a rescue operation to a recovery mission. The child, who fell into the river on Friday, is now feared lost, and authorities are intensifying efforts to locate her.
The incident occurred near the Motel Chute des Pères on Panoramique Boulevard, where a mother and her daughter were enjoying the snowy hillside. Tragically, the girl went beyond the riverbank and fell into the water, specifically into a section of the river known for its challenging rapids called Les Chute des Pères.
The search operation, which began on December 22 at 2:30 p.m., involved a collaborative effort between firefighters from the Dolbeau-Mistassini fire service and the Sûreté du Québec, Quebec’s provincial police. The teams scoured the riverbanks and utilized a specialized boat to navigate the waters, persisting late into the afternoon on the day of the incident.
As the days passed, hopes of a successful rescue diminished. The search, which entered its fifth day today, has become a recovery mission, with authorities tirelessly scanning the river, both on land and from the air. Despite the challenges posed by dangerous ice conditions, a helicopter, nautical team, and officers surveying the banks have been dedicated to the task.
The provincial police acknowledged the difficulties posed by the treacherous conditions, revealing that a team of divers had to suspend their work due to the unsafe state of the ice. The search has been interrupted each evening since Saturday at nightfall, resuming the next day for security reasons. Beaulieu expects the efforts to continue on Wednesday.
In a poignant plea to the public, provincial police published photos of the clothes the young girl was wearing, including a distinctive rainbow-patterned coat and violet snow pants. Authorities are urging anyone who might have seen something along the river to come forward and report any potential sightings.
As the recovery mission persists, the town of Dolbeau-Mistassini remains united in the hope that closure will be found, bringing an end to this tragic chapter.