Calgary Fire Department members comb and poke through the water, mud and long grass in Nose Creek near Goddard Avenue N.E. in Calgary on July 22, 2026, during the search for missing 11-year-old Parker. Jim Wells/Postmedia file

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As Calgary continues to grieve the death of 11-year-old Parker, new details are emerging about the search and recovery efforts earlier this week.

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The initial efforts of rescue crews to recover Parker’s body from the labyrinth of tunnels underneath Deerfoot Trail was thwarted by potentially life-threatening conditions.

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Three CFD specialty teams — aquatic, technical rescue and hazardous material — were involved in Wednesday’s recovery, Calgary Fire Department spokesman Alex Kwan told Postmedia.

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Rescue crews were met with bleak conditions while searching inside the pipes, which measured less than three metres in diameter at the start, eventually narrowing to an estimated 1.3 metres.

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Kwan says crews proceeded until they reached an area where their monitors detected an ambient oxygen level of 19 per cent, and were forced to return to the command post.

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“As you get below 19 per cent, that could be insufficient oxygen levels for a person to breathe,” said Kwan. “Our team hit those conditions, and we exited back and then made a plan to go to the other side . . . and search the tunnels.”

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Parker’s body was later found and retrieved through an access point on the west side.

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First responders who took part in the efforts to find Parker are encouraged to seek support.

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“It’s a tough time for everybody,” said Battalion Chief Bruce Barr. “We were glad that we were able to assist in the closure aspect.

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“We’re all a bit sad today.”

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The Calgary Fire Department has two main support systems for members facing challenges regarding their mental and physical health. Barr says he’s seen a significant increase in the use of those systems in his 30 years.

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“In the past it was different,” said Burr. “Members nowadays are aware, they’re educated. They see the benefit of their colleagues being open and honest with themselves and with each other.”

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The unusual nature of this situation is shared as a reminder to the public that responding to difficult calls is part of the job as a first responder.

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“This sort of incident is an obvious situation or an example that we have to be aware of the effects or the potential effects or impact that it has on our people,” said Burr. “As we always do, just looking after ourselves, looking after each other, and making sure that support is there.”

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Abigail Allen, dressed as a princess, sings songs as a steady stream of mourners pay their respects for Parker at a memorial on 60th Avenue and Blackthorn Road N.E. Calgary on Friday, July 31, 2026. Darren Makowichuk/Postmedia

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The CFD response included 31 members, more than two-thirds of the specialized personnel who were on active duty that day, said Kwan.

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“We had the technical rescue team, of which we have two stations, so we dedicated one of the stations to the search, while the other crew was still on duty to handle any other technical rescue calls that came in.

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“That’s always the balance of maintaining our response capabilities.”

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