Safety assessment planned following drownings

The Manitoba government will conduct an assessment of high-risk trails and areas in its parks system following the drownings of two siblings at Nutimik Lake in the Whiteshell.

Environment Minister Mike Moyes has ordered his department to identify high-risk areas after Maximo Au Ramirez, 10, slipped on rocks near Sturgeon Falls and fell in the lake Saturday. His brother, Aaron Au Ramirez, 13, went in to try to save him.

The body of Aaron was recovered Thursday evening, 24 hours after his brother’s body was found Wednesday.

“We have a lot of beautiful parks and spaces, but to flag any areas that could need greater improvements for safety, and so we’re going to take a really comprehensive approach to ensuring that Manitobans can enjoy nature, but do it in a way that’s safe,” Moyes said Thursday.

The province did an assessment of Sturgeon Falls, located on a narrow section of water between Nutimik and Numao lakes on the Winnipeg River system, after the tragedy Saturday.

The minister said he will review the report. The trail leading to the falls is closed until improvements are made, which Moyes said could be done “really quickly.”

The minister said the province could look at improving signage and barriers at high-risk areas near the falls. The assessment will extend to other areas in the province.

“We don’t want to see tragedies taking place. We want people to enjoy the outside and nature, and all the beautiful spots around our province,” he said.

Premier Wab Kinew said the province has a responsibility to keep residents safe and will ensure his colleague follows up on the assessment.

The father of a boy who drowned in Nutimik Lake three years ago said this tragedy has brought back painful memories.

“It’s been very challenging and sad to see another family suffering the same thing which we suffered a few years ago,” said Muhammad Danish Habib, whose 12-year-old son, Usaid Habib, drowned in the same spot in 2023.

Usaid was camping with his parents and three brothers when he slipped off the rocks and into the water, which is known by locals to be fast-moving and deep. His body was recovered two days later.

Danish Habib called for safety improvements, including fencing, anti-slip strips and a lifeguard during the summer when the number of campers and hikers increases.

“So no other family has to suffer what we suffered,” he said.

In 2025, the body of 38-year-old Harpreet Kaur Girn was recovered from the lake after she slipped off the rocks and was swept away by the current.

Introducing safety measures in natural environments can be a complicated issue due to erosion, a lack of supervision and user neglect, said an aquatic safety expert who conducts risk management services.

Chris Love, who formerly led the Lifesaving Society of Manitoba and now owns Wavecrest Aquatics, said governments must have a basic consideration for the safety of trail and beach users, but the province’s network is vast and sprawling.

“You’d be considering fencing off millions of miles of shoreline, which is not feasible financially,” he said. “So you have to balance things at the end of the day, which means you have to look at what are your highest risks, where you’re going to get the most amount of contact and focus on those.”

Beaches and well-used hiking trails, as well as areas where fatalities have occurred should be part of the assessment, Love said.

He said users need to have more access to information and education that would help them navigate unfamiliar and potentially risky areas.

An expansion of provincial beach safety and life-jacket loan programs would prove valuable, Love said.

nicole.buffie@freepress.mb.ca