A teenager's body has been recovered from a lake after a tragic drowning in Ashbridge Bay

Two orange lifeguards sit on the rocky shore of Ashbridge Bay Park – a reminder of the search for a 14-year-old boy who drowned on Sunday.

Idris Halai and his wife Rasida arrived at Woodbine Beach Park, which leads to Ashbridge Bay Park, at 11am on Monday morning to see where the tragedy happened.

According to them, the son, who drowned on Sunday and whose body was recovered on Monday, is a friend of Amar's son.

Acting Toronto Police Inspector Dan Pravica said the boy's body was pulled from the water about 15 hours after he got into trouble in a lake near Ashbridge Bay Park on the city's east side.

Pravitsa said that it is not known why the boy went into the water before he drowned, and a friend who was with the teenager started calling for help when he went into the water.

Idris said his son and Mohammed spent the early part of Sunday studying for a computer science test at the library and then chose to go to the beach instead of going to Fairview Mall with friends.

The couple went downstairs to find out where the tragedy happened. They walked to the sandy peninsula between the two large ponds at Woodbine Beach around 11 a.m. and waited a few minutes before returning to their cars – both very upset.

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When Idris spoke to Mohammed's family on Sunday evening, they said they were shocked.

“I went to their apartment last night,” Idris said. “They are in shock. I mean, at the same time, it's a coincidence.”

The couple said they went to the Hospital for Sick Children to see their son after taking him for a check-up on Sunday evening. He drowned trying to save his friend.

“We were up until 6am (Monday). We didn't sleep all night.”

Idyrys also described the pain and suffering he experienced in the hospital after being unable to save his son's friend, whom he had known since 2019.

“I can't describe this feeling,” said Idris, referring to what his son said in the hospital.

“He couldn't get his friend back anymore. He was just crying. All of us are very stressed,” says Idrys.

“He was more than a friend; he was like a brother.”

Police said the teenager who drowned was in an area with a strong and steep drop. They urged those who want to swim in Toronto parks to be careful and know the temperature of the water before diving.

— With Canadian Press files

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