Body of missing 11-year-old found in river following urgent search for schoolboy

The body of an 11-year-old missing boy has sadly been recovered by search teams after he went into a river in South Yorkshire.

Mackenzie Swift was last seen entering the River Don, near Mexborough, on Saturday evening.

The alarm was raised when he did not emerge from the water, prompting a 48-hour search.

This comprised specialist knowledge, skills, and equipment from South Yorkshire Police, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, underwater search, and mountain rescue.

The search came to an end shortly before 11pm last night, with Mackenzie's family having been informed and offered specialist support, South Yorkshire Police said.

Chief Superintendent Pete Thorp, district commander for Doncaster, said: "First and foremost, on behalf of all who have been involved in the operation to find Mackenzie since Saturday, I send deepest sympathies to his family and friends.

"Losing a child is every parent's worst nightmare and I know the impact this news will have on the wider community and particularly Mackenzie's school.

"The search for Mackenzie has been a real multi-agency effort and, while SYP are thankful to our emergency service colleagues and the underwater search team, I would like to take a moment to recognise Woodhead Mountain Rescue.

"While highly trained and skilled, many of their team are volunteers who give up their time to help search teams when they need it most.

"I would also like to thank the local community, who enabled us to conduct our search and recovery with very few onlookers and cameras to give Mackenzie and his family the dignity they deserve.

"Not only for that, but also for the offers of assistance - we knew we had many members of the public willing to do anything they could to help."