This week marks the 10th anniversary of the death of Burton Winters.
The 14-year-old boy from Makkovik froze to death on sea ice 19 km from where his snowmobile became stuck.
But it took almost three days for searches to find him, on February 1, 2012.
His death was the impetus for the recent inquiry into ground search and rescue, which has recommended wholesale improvements to prevent such a tragedy from occurring again.
In a video message on the sad occasion, Labrador and Indigenous Affairs Minister Lisa Dempster struggled through emotion to talk about Burton Winters.
She says the Winters family lost a son, a brother and a grandson, who will never fulfill the dreams of growing up and living his own life.
The province’s Department of Justice and Public Safety is reviewing the 17 recommendations from the inquiry to determine how best to proceed with implementing them.
Today we take a moment to remember and reflect on the tragic passing of a Makkovik youth, Burton Winters. #GovNL is committed to working with all stakeholders on recommendations of the Inquiry into Ground Search and Rescue for Lost and Missing Persons. pic.twitter.com/D4t3kkV1tw
— Government of NL (@GovNL) February 1, 2022
