Family reliving their son’s drowning death amidst another tragedy in Whiteshell Provincial Park
Posted July 23, 2026 5:34 pm.
Last Updated July 23, 2026 7:12 pm.
Two Winnipeg parents are forced to relive their son’s drowning death amidst another tragedy striking Whiteshell Provincial Park.
Their grief has turned into rage, feeling that this should have never happened again, and now, they want answers.
In May of 2023, 12-year-old Usaid Habib slipped on the rocks and fell into Nutimik Lake near Sturgeon Falls and was swept away into the rapids.
His parents, Muhammad Danish Habib and his mother, Urooj Danish, said they felt helpless; they saw it happen, and there was nothing they could do to save their son.
“It’s the same; every day is the same memory. You know that you’ve lost something very important to you. So no, it doesn’t get easier. You just learn to live with that,” said Habib.
Earlier this week, Danish went to visit the mother of Aaron and Maximo Au Ramirez and was flooded with emotions.
“Like every single thing was coming back as a flash to me. And I went there; I knew everything that was happening, and I was there with her…. That’s very painful,” said Danish.
The family feels that the province neglected to take proper safety measures after their son’s death.
They suggested adding more signage, fencing, yearly cleanups, memorials for people who drowned in the area, traction on the rocks, and a lifeguard.
“I am furious. I am frustrated. I am angry. Disappointed. I don’t know what other words I can use for the inaction of the Government of Manitoba and Parks Manitoba,” said Habib.
Minister of Environment and Climate Change Mike Moyes, who is responsible for provincial parks, says that there was increased signage after Usaid’s death and that the site is temporarily closed.
“A site assessment has already taken place by the directors of parks, and they are going to be presenting that assessment to me tomorrow so we can take action right away on ensuring the safety of Manitobans on this site,” said Moyes.
Danish said, “Something needs to be done. Something serious needs to be done. And something serious needs to be done soon. So that no one else has to suffer this.”
