A body has been discovered in the search for 11-year-old Mackenzie Swift, who went missing after entering the River Don in Mexborough, South Yorkshire, on Saturday evening. Police confirmed the find on Tuesday morning, stating that formal identification has yet to take place, but Mackenzie's family has been informed and offered specialist support.
Mackenzie entered the river at around 8pm on Saturday and failed to emerge, prompting a large-scale search operation involving South Yorkshire Police, fire and rescue services, Woodhead Mountain Rescue, and an underwater search team. Chief Superintendent Pete Thorp, district commander for Doncaster, expressed condolences to the family and thanked the community for their cooperation and offers of assistance.
Local residents have described the stretch of the river where Mackenzie entered as notoriously dangerous, warning that a child could easily be swept away. The incident is part of a series of water-related tragedies during the UK's recent heatwave, which saw at least 15 deaths last month, including a 13-year-old girl in the River Wharfe and a 15-year-old boy off the Merseyside coast.
Water safety experts have cautioned about the risks of cold water shock, which can occur even in warm weather when water temperatures remain low. Dr Heather Massey, an associate professor at the University of Portsmouth, noted that such incidents are a recurring problem when air temperatures rise rapidly while water stays cold.
