Police in southern Alberta are searching for a missing Cape Breton teen.

Helicopters have been part of the search for 19-year-old Justin McNeil. He disappeared after he slipped into the water in a campground southeast of Calgary on Sunday.

On Wednesday, a local football team joined the search effort. McNeil's family says they’re very grateful.

“It was a big sigh of relief to see them here,” says his mother, Sheila MacLean. “The joy, the excitement of knowing that we have that help now. They’re doing a fantastic job of helping us and I’m thankful and appreciative of the help.”

Two private helicopters also donated time to help find McNeil.