Body found in search for boy, 11, who went missing in South Yorkshire river

A body has been found in the search for an 11-year-old boy who went missing after entering the River Don in South Yorkshire on Saturday. Mackenzie Swift entered the river in Mexborough at around 8pm and failed to emerge, prompting a police search. Officers announced on Tuesday morning that a body had been found during their search of the river. A spokesperson said formal identification had yet to take place and Mackenzie’s family had been informed and had been offered specialist support. Ch Supt Pete Thorp, the South Yorkshire police 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. “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.” Police conducted the search alongside South Yorkshire fire and rescue service, Woodhead mountain rescue and an underwater search team, and Thorp expressed his gratitude to all involved. …