Along the rocky shores of Ashbridges Bay Park, two orange life preservers stand as somber reminders of the recent tragedy—a 14-year-old boy, a friend of Idris Halai and Raseeda Halai’s son, drowned. The incident occurred on Sunday, and the teen’s body was retrieved from the lake on Monday.
The couple visited Woodbine Beach Park, which connects to Ashbridges Bay Park, on Monday morning to witness the site of the distressing event.
Toronto Police Acting Inspector Dan Pravica reported that the boy’s body was recovered approximately 15 hours after he was last seen struggling in the water near the park, located in Toronto’s eastern end. The circumstances that led to the boy entering the water remain unclear, with a friend witnessing the drowning and calling for help.
Earlier that day, the victim, named Mohammed, and Idris’s son, Amar, were at the library preparing for a computer science exam before deciding to go to the beach rather than joining friends at Fairview Mall.
The Halais walked to a sandy stretch between two ponds at Woodbine Beach around 11 a.m., spending a few moments there before returning to their car, clearly distressed.
Late Sunday night, Idris visited Mohammed’s grieving family. He recalled, “I went to their apartment last night. They are in shock. It is, after all, a tragic accident.”
Their own son was hospitalized for observation after attempting to rescue his friend, leading to an agonizing, sleepless night for the Halais until 6 a.m. Monday.
Idris shared the profound impact of the event on his son, who felt a deep bond with Mohammed, likening their relationship to that of brothers.
Toronto Police highlighted the dangers of swimming in the area, noting a strong undertow and a sudden drop-off in the lake’s depth. They advised swimmers at city parks to be cautious and familiarize themselves with water conditions before entering.
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