A search is continuing today for a 45-year-old Whitehorse man who disappeared into the Yukon River Thursday afternoon.

Benji Correos jumped into the water at the intake yesterday after his seven-year-old son Myles slipped into the water while playing nearby.

'They were just going for a walk,' said Yvonne Clarke, president of the Canadian Filipino Association of the Yukon.

Clarke wasn't at the scene but is acting as a media contact for the Filipino community.

The Correos and about three other families, including six children, were on a walk along the Millennium Trail, enjoying the warm summer day shortly after 4 p.m., Clarke said.

Benji was fishing when Myles slipped and fell into the water. Both Benji and his wife Josie went in after their son. While the large rocks stopped Josie from going any further, Benji was able to grab onto Myles, but couldn't get out of the strong undertow.

He held onto Myles, making sure the boy's head was out of the water.

'He just kept pushing his son up,' Clarke said, adding Benji is a good swimmer.

Seeing the situation, a man who Clarke only knows as Louie, jumped in to save the pair. RCMP noted there was also another rescuer involved.

While the rescuers were able to get a hold of Myles, they were unable to grab Benji who found a branch and was holding onto it before he disappeared.

'Everything just happened so quick,' Clarke said.

On shore, a cell phone was used to call police who showed up immediately, she said.

Meeting the rescuers at the river bank, RCMP performed first aid on the unconscious boy and carried him to an ambulance waiting at the skateboard park. He was taken to Whitehorse General Hospital and kept overnight for observation before being released this morning with no injuries, hospital spokeswoman Val Pike said today.

Inside the hospital lobby about 40 people, including Clarke, gathered to show their support for Josie and Myles and support one another, remaining there until around midnight.

Josie and Myles are now back home and have the support of the community with them.

'We're all there for her. We're community, we're family,' Clarke said, describing Josie as the association's 'number one volunteer'.

Benji, a custodial worker for the Yukon government, is also a past president of the organization.

The couple have been in the territory for years, with Josie arriving about 20 to 25 years ago, Clarke said. Benji arrived in Canada a few years after Josie.

Like the community's adults, the children who witnessed yesterday's events seem to be in a state of shock. Clarke said one of Benji's young relatives asked when Benji would be back because by now he's probably wanting something to eat.

It's left the association working on ways to assist with the search and support Josie and Myles.

'We're at a loss too,' Clarke said.

The organization has scheduled a meeting for 6 p.m. tonight at 99 Teslin Road in Riverdale to discuss what they can do to help out the family and the search. Anyone wanting to help out is also welcome to come to the meeting and can call 633-2779 for more information, Clarke said.

In the meantime, the community continues to await information about the search which is continuing today.

A helicopter, RCMP boat and RCMP plane were all used in yesterday's efforts, in addition to assistance from Whitehorse firefighters.

Acting fire chief Warren Zakus said this morning five firefighters responded to the RCMP's request for help at 4:49 p.m. Another four firefighters were called in to man the fire station.

The fire crew has river rescue equipment, such as throw ropes, which they took to Rotary Peace Park, where they were asked to watch for someone in the river and get them out.

Firefighters remained on the scene for 45 minutes with their equipment.

Before beginning their search again today, RCMP and search and rescue officials met to discuss their plan of action.

MacDonald said both the RCMP boat and plane would be out this afternoon for the search.

Police are not looking for volunteers to assist, given the high water and swift current in the river.

'It's dangerous,' he said, noting that even if people were onshore there's still a danger someone could slip into the water without meaning to, given the current conditions.

In a statement earlier today, police suggested anyone playing near the river should wear a lifejacket or flotation device.

Both MacDonald and Clarke stated their gratitude to the heroic efforts of the men who were able to bring Myles to shore.