Urgent search for boy, 11, missing after entering river in South Yorkshire
An urgent search continues for an 11-year-old boy who went missing after entering a river in South Yorkshire.
Police were called to Ferry Boat Lane in Mexborough at 7.59pm on Saturday, May 30, after the boy was seen entering the waters of the River Don but did not come out.
A specialist search operation is ongoing, involving South Yorkshire police officers as well as emergency crews from the National Police Air Service, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and Yorkshire Ambulance Service.
As part of a major operation, underwater divers are trying to find the 11-year-old boy with the help of drones and helicopters from above. The child’s family has been informed and is being supported by specially trained officers.
Doncaster response team inspector Neil Pryce said the boy left his belongings on the riverbank and witnesses saw him enter the water, indicating where the boy had gone.
“We know from eyewitnesses and items left on the river bank where the boy entered the water. Using our specialist knowledge and skills, a coordinated multi-agency operation is underway and we are doing everything we can to find this young man.
“We are being invaluablely assisted by an underwater search team supported from above by a police helicopter and drones. This is a tragic incident and we understand that the public want to do what they can to help, but for the safety of everyone we must ask that only those participating in our operation enter the River Don.”
He asked the public to refrain from watching or filming the search operation so that the family could gain some dignity during the “tragic event”.
“To give the boy and his family the dignity they deserve, we are asking people not to watch or film the search operation.”
It is stated that at least 13 people died due to water shortage during the heat wave.
The hot weather has attracted many people to open water swimming, resulting in several deaths in South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Cornwall, Hampshire, Warwickshire, Cheshire, Pembrokeshire, Lincolnshire and Lancashire in recent days.
They include a 72-year-old woman who died after being pulled from the water at West Angle Bay beach in Pembrokeshire, Wales, on Sunday, and Chiedza Nyanjowa, 15, from Cheshire, who died on Saturday after getting into trouble while swimming at Formby beach on the Monday bank holiday.
