Search continues for Cree man presumed drowned near Waswanipi

A search in the Cree community of Waswanipifor the body ofa young manlast seen jumping into a nearbyriver for a swim after an evening of drinking is continuing, but local police say that adverse weather is making progress difficult.

Eric Happyjackwas last seen jumping in the river for a swim on June 2.

His friends called the local police, saying they were unable to stop him, and thatthey saw him carried away by the current.

"We are not stopping the search," said Harry Sharl, commanding officer of the Eeyou Eenou Police Force in Waswanipi."But at this time, the weather is not cooperating with us, as it is raining and it is cold."

Divers with Quebec's provincial police helped in thesearch for three days. A helicopter with a heat-detection camera was also used, but turned up nothing.

Two local elders have volunteered to set up a net across the river not far from the bridge, where Happyjack was last seen.

Sharl says the community is considering ways to prevent future incidents of this typefrom happening, includingconsidering asking Quebec's transport department to put up a fence around the bridge.

More news from Eeyou Istchee:

• 'I cried tears of happiness': Cree student bakes for prime minister's family
• Bus service from Quebec's coastal Cree communities to Val d'Or begins Wednesday