Missing 11-year-old boy named as police continue searching River Don
A boy who remains missing after going into a river has been named after his family were told the “heartbreaking” news that he could not have survived in the water.
Mackenzie Swift, 11, has not been seen since he entered the River Don on Saturday and the search is ongoing, South Yorkshire Police said.
Police were called to Ferry Boat Lane in Mexborough, South Yorkshire, at around 8pm on Saturday and emergency crews from the National Police Air Service, Yorkshire Ambulance Service and South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service also attended.
An underwater search team and Woodhead Mountain Rescue aided the search today but Mackenzie remains missing.
In a statement shared on Facebook on Monday afternoon, South Yorkshire Police said: “While we are doing everything we can to find him, our family liaison officers have sadly had the heartbreaking conversation with Mackenzie’s family that if he had not exited the river on Saturday, he could not have survived in the water for this length of time.
“Sadly none of our inquiries so far have found any indication that he got out of the water.”
Doncaster District Commander Chief Superintendent Pete Thorp said: “We will continue to do everything in our power to find Mackenzie and to support his family through this incredibly difficult time. They truly are living every parent’s worst nightmare.
“We are utilising a range of specialist resources and organisations from across the region. Officers will remain at the search site tonight and further operational activity will resume at first light tomorrow (Tuesday) morning.”
People have been urged to leave the search to the professionals rather than put themselves at risk near the water, with Mr Thorp adding: “The thoughts of all those involved in the extensive search operation remain with Mackenzie and his family.”
The update came after a 13-year-old girl was pulled from the River Wharfe in Burnsall, near Skipton, North Yorkshire, on Sunday evening.
She was airlifted to hospital where she was pronounced dead, North Yorkshire Police said.
During the hot spell across the UK, at least 15 people have died in water-related incidents.