River search for missing boy, 11, enters third day

The search for an 11-year-old boy missing after going into the River Don in South Yorkshire has entered a third day.

Emergency crews were called to Ferry Boat Lane, Mexborough, at about 20:00 BST on Saturday to reports a boy had entered the water but had not been seen getting out.

On Monday, South Yorkshire Police said extensive searches by specialist officers, an underwater search team and Mountain Rescue volunteers had resumed at first light, both in the river and on land.

The boy's family was being supported, the force added, and urged members of the public to stay away from the area to allow crews to carry out their work.

A police spokesperson said: "We understand people are desperate to help but, for everyone's safety, we must ask that only those involved in our operation join the search.

"We are doing everything we can to find this young man but, if a member of the public was to get in to trouble whilst searching, we would need to pause our search to help."

Police search advisor PC Simon Bennett said on Sunday "we aren't giving up", adding: "The boy and his family are at the forefront of our minds and we are all doing everything we can to find this young man."

Insp Neil Pryce said witnesses and items left on the riverbank indicated where the boy may have entered the water.

He added: "To give the boy and his family the dignity they deserve, we ask that people do not spectate or film the search operation."

A spokesperson for South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed crews were deployed on Saturday to assist with the search but "unfortunately were unable to locate the missing boy".

"Search efforts are currently still ongoing and we have a number of resources still on scene," they added.

"This is an active multi-agency operation, and we ask that the public remain away from the area while the search is ongoing."

At least 15 people have died during the recent heatwave after getting into difficulties in bodies of water.

A 13-year-old girl died in hospital on Sunday after going missing in a river in Burnsall, North Yorkshire.

A 15-year-old girl from Cheshire died in hospital on Saturday after getting into difficulties in the sea off the coast of Merseyside on Bank Holiday Monday.

A woman in her 60s died on Saturday after she and a man got into difficulty after entering the water in Thornton Cleveleys to "rescue their dog". Lancashire Police said the man, also in his 60s, remains in a critical condition in hospital.

Meanwhile, a 19-year-old man died after being rescued from a lake in Nottinghamshire, and a body was found in the search for a man who got into difficulty in the water in the Norfolk Broads.

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