River Don in Mexborough: Search continues for 11-year-old boy missing in river
A desperate search for an 11-year-old boy who went missing in a river is continuing for a second day.
The youngster was last seen entering the River Don in Mexborough at around 8pm on Saturday May 30.
A huge multi-agency search operation was launched after reports the boy had gone into the water but was not seen coming back out.
Police, firefighters, mountain rescue teams, underwater search teams and an air support unit have since spent hours combing the water.
Despite an extensive search throughout Sunday, the boy had not been found by nightfall.
Officers from South Yorkshire Police remained at the scene overnight and have vowed to continue the search this morning (Mon).
Police search advisor PC Simon Bennet said: "Since first light (Sunday), experts with specialist knowledge and skills have assisted our search of the river, the riverbank, and nearby open land.
"The underwater search team initially waded in the shallow waters before boarding sled boats, while a boat with sonar has been used to search deeper waters.
"Officers from SYP and South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service have also checked the river bank, while Mountain Rescue have assisted the teams on nearby land.
"We've also been supported from above by air searches."
The force said as darkness fell, the search had to be scaled back but they vowed "we aren't giving up."
PC Bennett added: "As we have now lost daylight, the search has become more challenging and we will have to await first light to resume extensive search activities, but we aren't giving up - police officers will remain at the River Don overnight and we are already putting plans in place for further searches of the River Don and nearby land tomorrow.
"The boy and his family are at the forefront of our minds and we are all doing everything we can to find this young man.
"I must thank the local community who have allowed us to conduct the search with few onlookers to ensure the boy and his family are afforded the dignity the deserve.
"We have had so many offers of help but, for everyone's safety, must ask people to refrain from conducting their own searches of land or water - we have enough resources to continue the search and have access to a national network of specialists should we need them in the coming days."
Police have previously urged people not to gather at the scene, warning people not to "spectate or film" the operation as specialist teams continue their search.