Police name Mackenzie Swift as 11-year-old boy still missing in River Don in Mexborough

An 11-year-old boy missing after entering a South Yorkshire river has been named as Mackenzie Swift.

He hasn't been since since Saturday, when he's believed to have gone into the River Don near Ferry Boat Lane, Mexborough.

The fire service, mountain rescue, and an underwater search team are all trying to find him.

"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," said a statement by South Yorkshire Police.

"Sadly none of our enquiries so far have found any indication that he got out of the water."

Police said they know where Mackenzie went in as he left items nearby and people saw him.

Local people told Sky News it's known to be a dangerous part of the River Don, with shallow water quickly becoming deeper.

Chief Superintendent Pete Thorp urged the public to leave the search to the professionals who are doing "everything in our power to find Mackenzie".

"Please do not put yourselves or others in danger by searching in and around water," he said.

At least 17 people - mostly children and teenagers - have died after entering open water in the last week or so as temperatures soared.

On Sunday evening, a 13-year-old girl died after being rescued from the River Wharfe, near Burnsall in North Yorkshire. Her identity hasn't yet been made public.

A woman in her 60s also died after trying to rescue her dog from the sea off Thornton Cleveleys, Lancashire, on Saturday. A man who went in with her was in a critical condition.

The spike in water deaths coincided with last week's record-breaking May heatwave and the school holidays.

Experts stress that even though the air may be hot, the water in early summer can still be very cold and dangerous - even for strong swimmers.

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Entering the water suddenly can bring on cold-water shock, causing people to gasp uncontrollably for breath, spiking the heart rate and making it difficult to swim.

The RNLI recommends floating until it subsides by tilting your head back with ears submerged and gently moving your hands and legs.

It says people should also swim in lifeguarded areas if possible.

(c) Sky News 2026: Police name Mackenzie Swift as 11-year-old boy still missing in River Don in Mexborough