The body of the a man who went missing in the Yukon River after helping to save his son last week was found Thursday afternoon.
RCMP said they were alerted to a partially submerged body of an adult male near the Chilkoot Shopping Plaza area. He had been spotted by recreational boaters. The body was later identified as that of Benji Correos.
Correos, 45, had been missing since August 16 when he jumped into the river near the intake to save his seven-year-old son, Myles, who fell into the fast current during a family outing.
Both were nearly swept away but two bystanders jumped in and grabbed Myles after his father held him above water as long as he could.
Correos, a Whitehorse resident, lost consciousness before he could be rescued and was swept away.
Search efforts included the RCMP plane and search and rescue boat. Officers had been searching from the dam up to Lake Laberge.
Myles was not significantly injured in the ordeal.
The Filipino community, in which Correos was heavily involved, has been assisting the Correos family by forming search parties and providing food to Myles and his mother, Josie.
The Yukon Coroner’s office has taken over the investigation. (JW)