\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
![\"SUPPLIED](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4410548_web1_brothers.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSUPPLIED
\nThe search continues for brothers Aaron Au Ramirez, 13, and Maximo Au Ramirez, 10.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re continuing to run sonar along the floor of the waterway.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Manitoba RCMP Underwater Recovery Team and the Hutterian Emergency Aquatic Response Team were later deployed to assist with the search.<\/p>\n
RCMP Staff Sgt. Cory Meyers said Monday crews were continuing to use sonar technology to search the bottom of the waterway, while a drone was deployed to search the shoreline for any clues.<\/p>\n
\u201cCurrently, we have two boats in the water here between our friends from HEART and the RCMP,\u201d Meyers said. \u201cThey\u2019re continuing to run sonar along the floor of the waterway here, going in different directions, trying to get a better grid and a better view of the bottom.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meyers said crews planned to continue searching through the evening before reassessing their efforts.<\/p>\n
Allison Baker-Thiessen, who owns Nutimik Lodge with her husband, Harry Thiessen, said the lodge was contacted by Manitoba Parks and asked to get a boat onto the water after the incident.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy husband was one of the first boats, minus the people that were out there that witnessed it, and people that were already out doing their daily activities on the waterway,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t RCMP<\/p>\n Lac du Bonnet RCMP received a report of a possible drowning at about 12:40 p.m. July 18.<\/p>\n Baker-Thiessen said about 25 boats were on the water Saturday helping with the search. One boater attempted to rescue the boys, but was unsuccessful, she said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have taken the family in, and they are staying with us as long as they need to.\u201d<\/p>\n The community has since rallied around the family, with Nutimik Lodge providing accommodations and support while the search continues.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have taken the family in, and they are staying with us as long as they need to,\u201d Baker-Thiessen said.<\/p>\n She said the Kevin Howie Foundation, an organization created to support families affected by drowning tragedies, has also stepped in to help provide meals, supplies and other support. The foundation is named after a 28-year-old man who drowned in a boating accident at Nutimik in 2005.<\/p>\n A GoFundMe organized by Nutimik Lodge had raised nearly $18,000 by Monday evening.<\/p>\n Baker-Thiessen said the funds are intended to help the family with costs for funeral expenses, travel for relatives coming from British Columbia and Mexico and future supports, such as counselling.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t PROVINCE OF MANITOBA<\/p>\n A warning sign at Sturgeon Falls.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is something that they\u2019re going to have to live with for the rest of their life,\u201d she said. \u201cThey do have a four-year-old child that they still have to care for amongst all of this and be strong for.\u201d<\/p>\n Located about 135 kilometres east of Winnipeg near the Manitoba-Ontario border, Sturgeon Falls is a stretch of rapids connecting Nutimik and Numao lakes along the Winnipeg River.<\/p>\n The falls can be accessed through a 4.5-kilometre trail from the Nutimik campground that crosses a suspension bridge.<\/p>\n Baker-Thiessen described the area as having powerful currents, slippery rocks and unpredictable water conditions.<\/p>\n She said the lodge regularly warns visitors about staying away from the water\u2019s edge, especially with children.<\/p>\n A 38-year-old woman drowned at the same location in June 2025, while a 12-year-old boy drowned there in May 2023.<\/p>\n Baker-Thiessen said Manitoba Parks has reached out to discuss improving safety in the area once the search concludes.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t RCMP<\/p>\n Manitoba Parks is reviewing safety measures at Sturgeon Falls.<\/p>\n \u201cUnfortunately, it\u2019s taken a few lives to realize this, but it is being heard,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Baker-Thiessen said physical barriers, like a fence, would help prevent visitors from getting too close to the water.<\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t want to necessarily shut the trail down,\u201d Baker-Thiessen said. \u201cIt\u2019s a beautiful trail. We want there to be no access to the waterways whatsoever once you\u2019re up there. We want you behind something so you cannot get over it, so people can\u2019t even jump a rope or things like that.\u201d<\/p>\n Don Binda, president of the Whiteshell Cottagers Association \u2014 a non-profit group representing more than 3,300 cottage owners across 12 lake regions in Whiteshell Provincial Park \u2014 said the organization regularly communicates with Manitoba Parks on issues affecting the park, including trails, roads and waterways.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think today is the day to be saying, \u2018Oh, we should have done something years ago.’\u201d<\/p>\n \n\t\tWinnipeg Free Press | Newsletter\n\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t Binda said he doesn\u2019t want discussions about the site to centre on what could or should have been done in the past, but rather on what can be done to improve safety moving forward.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think today is the day to be saying, \u2018Oh, we should have done something years ago,\u2019\u201d Binda said. \u201cFor the sake of the family and everybody, I wish we would have, but unfortunately that time has passed.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n