Teenager’s body is pulled from frigid waters after four teens – ages 15 to 17 – fell through the ice in Ottawa as another remains missing

The lifeless body of a teenager was recovered from the icy waters of the Rideau River in Ottawa, Canada, on Wednesday evening after four friends fell through the ice.

17-year-old Ahmed Haitham was pronounced dead, a 15-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy were rushed to hospital, and a 16-year-old boy remains missing after hours of searching.

The tragedy unfolded when four companions fell through the ice near Nicholls Island Road, about 20 kilometers from downtown Ottawa, around 9:30 p.m.

The teens had planned to go ice skating on the river, but the ice had been steadily melting due to warmer than average weather as temperatures had risen above freezing over the past week.

Two of the youths were successfully rescued and transported to the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario for treatment for mild hypothermia.

Meanwhile, a police diver was sent to hospital for what paramedics described as 'a diving-related emergency'.

Ottawa police said early Thursday morning: “Members of the Ottawa Police Service and emergency services were called to Nicolls Island Road late last night following reports of four youths having fallen through the ice on the Rideau River,”

The “water search under very difficult conditions” continued throughout the night, she added. At the time. two more youths were still missing and believed to be in the water.

“Police divers later recovered the body of one of the missing deceased youths,” authorities said.

“The search for the second boy had to be suspended last night and will begin this morning,” she added.

The Rideau River flows 91 miles from Upper Rideau Lake in Eastern Ontario to the Ottawa River.

The famous Rideau Canal, located upstream along the river, turns into the world's largest ice skating rink in winter.

The skating season is weather dependent, but usually runs from January to early March. The Skateway is currently closed.

Haitham, the youngest of four children in his family, would turn 18 in a month, as reported by CBC.

The teenager's father, Haitham Mohammed, and aunt Faten Ataallah were at the scene waiting to see his body.

The family moved to Canada as refugees from Iraq 10 years ago, Ataallah said. “They were excited to start a new beginning.”

Ataallah said Haitham hoped to attend a post-secondary police foundation program after graduating from John McRae Secondary School in February next year.

On Wednesday afternoon, Haitham left the family home to go ice skating with three friends, but never returned.

“We were all screaming,” Ataallah said. 'It is really difficult. We cannot describe it. This is the worst feeling ever.”

A GoFundMe page has been set up for Haitham and has raised more than 8,000 Canadian dollars as of Thursday afternoon.

“Ahmed Haitham was a teenager who graduated in February 2024, he aspired to become a police officer and was even recruited,” the fundraising page reads.

“Just a few nights after a green Christmas, the ice was melting due to the warmer weather,” it reads.

“When he got to the river and put on his skates, he only took a few steps on the ice and unfortunately the ice broke.

'Ahmed and his friends fought for their lives wearing heavy winter trousers and jackets, trying to swim in pitch black darkness with heavy skates.

'Ahmed was a great swimmer and he could hold his own and also save someone. Fighting in the cold water to save his friends and his own life.

'Unfortunately Ahmed and one of his friends did not make it.

“Ahmed's parents are still in shock and shouting his name and asking 'oh Ahmed, where have you gone?'” the organizer wrote.

'As you know, rising costs, high mortgage/rent and grocery prices are expensive. The family needs your help during this difficult time every Canadian is experiencing with our economy.”