Dez Loreen and Paul Bickford
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Sep 12/05) - The search for a missing Inuvik teenager who fell into the Slave River last Monday has been called off.

Police and search and rescue teams scoured the river near Fort Smith all week for any trace of Ian Joel Rogers, but as of Friday not a sign of him had been found.

Ian Rogers

Searchers presume the 19-year-old drowned after being caught up in strong currents when he slipped off some rocks at a juncture of the river known as Rapids of the Drowned, which has claimed victims in the past.

RCMP officially called off the search at 5 p.m., Friday.

However, search and rescue co-ordinator RCMP Sgt. Jack Kruger said a community search will continue with police assistance.

According to RCMP, Rogers was with friends when he fell off a rocky outcrop, Monday afternoon. The Samuel Hearne high school graduate was in Fort Smith to attend courses in technology at Aurora College. He was to begin classes the day after he went missing.

"He was out there walking and he apparently slipped into the river," said RCMP Sgt. Craig Seafoot.

Two friends were with Rogers at the time, and Seafoot said one jumped into the water to try to save him.

Friend couldn't save him

Seafoot said the friend realized his clothes were dragging him down into the water, but by the time he got back to shore and removed his clothes and then re-entered the water, Rogers was too far away for him to grasp.

"The missing person resurfaced and started to dog paddle, but he was paddling into the river," Seafoot said, speculating that the victim became disoriented in the churning currents.

His friends shouted to him, but he may not have heard because of the noise from the rapids, Seafoot said.

"It's pretty noisy when you get up there," he said. "It's just a loud roar."

Rogers disappeared under the water again, re-surfaced and went under for the final time, Seafoot said. "That was the last he was seen."

The RCMP received a call about the incident about 5:15 p.m., Sept. 5. Seafoot said two search boats were in the water within 40 minutes. Volunteers and an airplane later joined the search, which continued until dark.

The next day and throughout the week, a dozen boats scoured the river, and a helicopter and a fixed wing aircraft looked from the air. About 50-60 volunteers were involved.

Some searchers concentrated their efforts just below the rapids, including dragging the river. Others checked islands and sandbars further downstream.

By Tuesday, one of the volunteer searchers, retired teacher Bob Langevin, said everyone involved in the search knew the outcome was not going to be good.

Family awaits word

Anxious family members, meanwhile, continue to await any word on their lost brother and son. He turned 19 on Aug. 31, just a few days before the accident.

Rogers has a large immediate family, with two brothers Larry and Ryan, and two sisters Thea and Dori.

"He knew exactly what he wanted in life," said Donna Rogers, Ian's mother. "He wanted to be a pipeline operations engineer."

Inuvik resident Derrick Thrasher was one of Roger's best friends. He said his friend was very generous and had a great sense of humour.

"He was a really funny guy, always had time to talk with you and if you needed help, you knew where to go," said Thrasher.

Rogers had family in Paulatuk as well.

"He was a young strapping kid, who was always ready to go and do whatever," said cousin Kovun Thrasher. "Ian was very approachable, it didn't matter who you were, or where you were from. He was pretty quiet, and had a soft voice."

Tim Gauthier, manager of public and corporate affairs with the college, said many people were shocked when heard Rogers was missing.

"Right now, we're concentrating on helping his friends and fellow students through this tragedy," Gauthier said, adding that the school is offering counselling to students.

The RCMP barely escaped tragedy themselves when one of their jet boats sank while out searching Tuesday afternoon. The two men on board - an RCMP member and an auxiliary constable - were rescued by another search vessel.

"They were wearing their flotation devices, which saved them," Seafoot said.