Many Langley residents are still in a state of shock as fundraisers continue to grow to support the families of missing Langley boys Brendan Wilson and Austin Kingsborough.
It’s been “very taxing” for the families as they watched the RCMP dive team on Nicola Lake, near Merritt, search for the two friends whose capsized canoe was found early Monday, April 22, said family friend Scott Lebus, who is speaking to the media on behalf of the families.
“The families have accepted they have drowned. Now they just want to bring the boys home and begin the healing,” said Lebus.
“Both boys’ parents are really appreciative of all the love and support they have received.”
After five days of dedicated searching, the RCMP called off their search on Friday.
“That was a particular low point for the families,” he said.
But through a friend of a friend, they decided to get in touch with Gene and Sandy Ralston from Idaho, who specialize in water recoveries. They have recovered 84 drowning victims using their unique equipment.
The families are flying them out to begin their search of the lake, using specialized sonar equipment.
Brendan and Austin have been friends for a long time, and played both ball and ice hockey together. They were captain and co-captains of various teams and wore the numbers #17 and #18 respectively, he said.
“They were really well known and liked. They had a lot of friends and many people know the families through Langley Minor Hockey,” he said.
The two life-long friends had planned the trip up to the Wilson family cabin on Nicola Lake to celebrate Brendan’s 18th birthday.
“Brendan has been on that lake since he was a toddler. He is very familiar with the lake,” said Lebus.
Their parents expected the boys back in Langley for supper on Sunday, April 21. When they didn’t come home, Brendan’s mom called a neighbour to check on the boys and “found his truck still there,” he said.
The RCMP had two Zodiacs out, using sonar and many people were searching the shore.
“The RCMP worked very hard,” said Lebus.
The waves damaged their equipment on Friday. The Upper Nicola First Nations fed the families every day, as well as assisted in the search, he said.
“I can’t say enough about what they did for the families,” said Lebus.
Here at home, Langley Secondary students have put together all sorts of fundraisers under the name “Pray for the Boys,” selling T-shirts and bracelets.
Now people have come forward to help with the costs that will be incurred, including funerals.
An account to help has been opened up at CIBC by the Langley Rotary Club. Go to any branch and quote branch #02120, account #1000314.
Also, people can bring their bottles and cans to the Langley Recycling Depot (on Industrial Ave.) and tell them to put it in the #Prayfortheboys account before they start counting.
All money raised from the bottle drive will go the Wilson and Kingsborough families.
