Parry Sound family shares its heartache after tragic loss of son during camping trip
What was supposed to be a nice family camping trip before back to school, has ended in a nightmare.
Nine-year-old Everett Freeman went camping with his family on Huckleberry Island in Georgian Bay, and went missing around 3 p.m. on Friday.
After a 24-hour search, it ended in tragedy when Freeman's body was recovered.
"He was one in a million, he was so smart, so kind, so compassionate and so loving," said Korey Freeman, the father of Everett. "We went there Thursday night, and Friday the kids were playing hide and seek. Everett was playing with some of his younger cousins, the game petered off and he wandered off . He's an introvert so sometimes he needed a bit of space."
OPP began a major search effort, lasting well overnight into Saturday.
Their search included three canine units, aviation services, their marine unit and their underwater search & recovery team.
Local fire departments and the Canadian Search and Rescue Team were also helping out in the search.
The young boy's body was retrieved from the water.
The family said it doesn't know how this could have happened.
"We're just so grateful, we're so heartbroken but so grateful we had Everett for these nine years," said the devastated father, Korey Freeman.
Everett's father told CTV News that he's incredibly thankful to the police and everyone involved in the search.
An outpouring of support and condolences have also flooded Freeman's social media, for which he said he's forever grateful.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Quebec judge orders bus driver to stand trial for 2023 daycare crash deaths
A judge has ordered a Quebec man to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of two children killed when a bus rammed into a Montreal-area daycare last year.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
Calgary officer charged after allegedly assaulting handcuffed man
A Calgary police officer has been charged after allegedly assaulting a handcuffed man two years ago.
Trudeau's latest pre-budget pledge targets millennial moms, vowing $1B in loans for more child-care spaces
The federal government is launching a new loan program to help child-care providers in Canada expand their spaces, and will be extending further student loan forgiveness and training options for early childhood educators, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday.