Vigil held for boy lost to river
Police still searching for body of toddler swept away by Grand River floodwaters
Strains of “Amazing Grace” broke the candlelit darkness during a vigil Thursday evening for a toddler lost to the Grand River.
More than 100 people gathered in Waldemar, Ont., on the Station St. bridge that spans the surging, floodswollen river to remember Kaden Young, the 3-year-old boy who went missing Wednesday when his mother’s van was pulled into Grand River. The floodwater swept little Kaden from his mother’s arms after she managed to escape the van.
Search officials confirmed Thursday that a yellow T-shirt, child’s booster seat, and the minivan’s bumper had been found during the recovery operation.
However, officials don’t believe the boy was wearing the shirt when he was swept away.
Kaden’s mother, Michelle Hanson, offered thanks to the community before leaving in an emotional state. Community members brought candles, flowers, pictures, cards and teddy bears to the bridge, and they sang “Amazing Grace” while neighbours comforted each other and held back tears.
After a full day of searching, recovery efforts came to an end Friday around sunset, as officers geared up for another day ahead.
OPP Const. Paul Nancekivell said Saturday’s search will involve an underwater “full dive team,” in addition to their current in-water search committee.
“The team can get a much better look if they go under with their gear,” he said. “Earlier we had them checking for any disturbances above-water, but we’ll have them in and ready for tomorrow.”
He added that there will also be a helicopter unit present. K9 units will also be on scene, as well as several officers who will be searching the area on foot. Communities throughout the Grand River watershed continue to experience the effects of a weather system that moved into the area Monday and brought heavy rainfall and melt runoff from warm temperatures.
A flood watch continues for the Town of Grand Valley and Waldemar.
The boy’s mother was driving when she missed a road closure barricade in dense fog at about 1 a.m. Wednesday.
Her minivan was swept into the fast-moving river and deep water. She managed to free herself and Kaden from the vehicle, but the water wrenched the boy from her arms.
Hanson was found at a watery alcove on the river’s bank near the bridge on Dufferin County Road 109. Dufferin County paramedics brought her to Headwaters Health Care Centre in Orangeville where she was treated for hypothermia and eventually released.
Nancekivell said the OPP’s emergency response team has combed kilometres of river banks since Wednesday. With files from Annie Arnone