The body of an 11-year-old boy who went missing after entering the River Don in South Yorkshire has been found, police have confirmed. Mackenzie Swift entered the river in Mexborough at around 8pm on Saturday and failed to resurface, prompting a search operation.
South Yorkshire Police announced on Tuesday morning that a body had been recovered during the search. Formal identification has yet to take place, but Mackenzie's family have been informed and are receiving specialist support.
Chief Superintendent Pete Thorp, district commander for Doncaster, expressed his deepest sympathies to Mackenzie's family and friends, describing the loss of a child as 'every parent's worst nightmare'. He thanked the local community for their cooperation and offers of assistance during the search.
The search involved South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Woodhead Mountain Rescue, and an underwater search team. The incident follows a series of water-related deaths during the recent heatwave, including a 13-year-old girl in North Yorkshire and a 15-year-old boy in Merseyside.
Local residents have described the stretch of river where Mackenzie entered as dangerous, warning that a child could easily be swept away. Water safety experts have highlighted the risks of cold water shock, which can occur even during hot weather when water temperatures remain low.
