Recovery operation for Calgary boy, Behzad Ahmad, scaled back

Parks Canada has scaled backthe "recovery operation" to find an 11-year-old Calgary boy who was swept away in the Yoho River on Friday, while a friend says the family is grateful for the support shown.

The search began Friday evening and extended into the weekend.

"At first light on Saturday, Parks Canada continued a ground and aerial search with the support of a Parks Canada Dog handler and continued aerial searches on the Sunday morning," the agency said in a release late Sunday.

"Parks Canada will continue to regularly monitor the area in the coming weeks as water levels change with the objective of successfully locating the boy."

Friends of the family sayBehzadAhmadhad been playing on the edge of theYohoRiver when he slipped in.

They say relatives tried to rescue him but he was pulled away by the current.

Two boys fell into the river at about 7:40 p.m. near theTakakkawFalls Day Use Area inYohoNational Park,said Parks Canada spokespersonTaniaPeters.

One boy was quickly taken out of the river.

The area is located next to the Trans-Canada Highway, just east of Field, B.C., about 210 kilometres west of Calgary.

"The thoughts of all Parks Canada personnel are with the young man's family and friends," said Peters.

SultanMahmooda close family friendsays the boy's parents are grateful so many people have tried to help.

"The response by the people, general public, people who were there, they were very supportive. TheRCMPthey were very supportive and then the search team they were very supportive,"Mahmoodsaid.

Earlier this month,a 21-year-old man from Calgary diedwhile hiking inYohoNational Park.

RCMPsaidthe man was with a group of friends in the alpine above the LittleYohoCampgroundwhen he lost his footing and fell200 metresto his death.

And last year, 19-year-oldJeremyPrendergastfrom Calgary fell to his deathin the100-metre high Twin Falls, about eight-kilometres from theTakakkawFallsparking lot.

• Calgary hiker falls200mto his death inYohoNational Park
• JeremyPrendergast'smother thanks searchers, friends after his fatal fall over Twin Falls