Body found in search for 11-year-old boy

A body has been recovered during the search for 11-year-old Mackenzie Swift, who went missing in a river in South Yorkshire.

Emergency services were called to Ferry Boat Lane, near the River Don in Mexborough, at around 8pm on Saturday evening.

South Yorkshire Police said Mackenzie was seen entering the river but was not seen leaving the water, leading to a large-scale search operation involving multiple agencies.

Officers confirmed that a body was discovered shortly after 11pm on Monday night. Mackenzie’s family have been informed, and formal identification procedures will take place in due course.

Police Send Condolences to Family

Doncaster District Commander Chief Superintendent Pete Thorp said:

"First and foremost, on behalf of everyone involved in the search for Mackenzie since Saturday, I want to express our deepest sympathies to his family and friends.

"The loss of a child is every parent's worst nightmare, and I know this devastating news will have a profound impact on the wider community, especially Mackenzie’s school."

Major Search Operation

The search, which lasted more than 48 hours, involved South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, specialist underwater search teams and mountain rescue crews.

Chief Superintendent Thorp added:

"The search for Mackenzie was a true multi-agency effort. While we are extremely grateful to our emergency service colleagues and underwater search specialists, I would also like to recognise the dedication of Woodhead Mountain Rescue.

"Many of their highly trained team members are volunteers who give up their own time to assist search operations when they are needed most."

Earlier Fears Raised

On Sunday, police said they had been forced to have the heartbreaking conversation with Mackenzie’s family that if he had not been seen leaving the river on Saturday, he was unlikely to have survived in the water for such a long period.

Investigators found no evidence to suggest he had managed to get out of the river.

Residents told reporters that the section of the River Don where Mackenzie disappeared is known locally as a dangerous area, with shallow water quickly giving way to much deeper sections.

Open Water Deaths Increase During Heatwave

The tragedy comes amid a series of fatal incidents involving open water across the UK during the recent spell of hot weather.

By Monday, the number of suspected open-water deaths nationwide had reached at least 17.

The record-breaking temperatures encouraged many people to swim in rivers, lakes and coastal areas, with fatalities reported in South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Cornwall, Hampshire, Warwickshire, Cheshire, Pembrokeshire and Lincolnshire.

Other Recent Incidents

On Sunday, a 13-year-old girl died after being rescued from the River Wharfe near Burnsall, according to North Yorkshire Police.

In a separate incident the same day, Lancashire Police said a woman died and a man was left in a critical condition after entering the sea off Rossall Beach in Thornton-Cleveleys.

The pair, both aged in their 60s, encountered difficulties in the water while attempting to rescue their dog. The dog was later recovered safely.