Tributes paid to boy, 11, after body found in river

Tributes have been paid to 11-year-old Mackenzie Swift after search teams found a body in the River Don in South Yorkshire.

Mackenzie was last seen going into the water near Ferry Boat Lane in Mexborough on Saturday evening.

South Yorkshire Police said a 48-hour search operation including an underwater team and Mountain Rescue volunteers came to an end just before 23:00 BST on Monday.

Highwoods Academy in Mexborough, his primary school, described him as "a kind, caring and sensitive young man and a loved member of our school family".

In a statement, it said the "heartbroken" school community would miss his "dry sense of humour and laughter" brightening classrooms and playgrounds.

"He loved football, the outdoors and playing with his friends," it added.

"We are working closely with specialist teams to offer support to Mackenzie's family, classmates and the wider community, who are understandably devastated at such a huge loss."

Mackenzie is the 17th person in the UK known to have died after getting into trouble in open water during the recent hot weather.

Ch Supt Pete Thorp, district commander for Doncaster, thanked the local community for their support and expressed his condolences to everyone affected by the news.

"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," he said.

"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 school added: "As an important member of our school, he will always hold a special place in our hearts.

"We will remember Mackenzie for the happiness he shared and the smiles he brought to others."

Thorp also expressed his thanks to those involved in the search, in particular volunteers from the Woodhead Mountain Rescue.

An online fundraiser set up to help Mackenzie's family has so far raised more than £4,500.

MP for Doncaster North, Ed Miliband, and MP for Rawmarsh and Conisbrough, John Healey, sent their "deepest condolences" to Mackenzie's family.

"I can only imagine the terrible grief the family is facing and I want them to know that the whole community is with them in this time of such sorrow," Miliband added.

"I am deeply grateful to the emergency services and search teams who have worked tirelessly in recent days."

Mexborough Athletic Sports & Social Club also paid tribute, describing Mackenzie's death as "a tragedy that has touched so many".

"Today we send our love, thoughts and deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mackenzie Swift," the club wrote on social media.

"Please keep Mackenzie's loved ones in your thoughts and respect their privacy at this difficult time.

"Special thoughts for all his classmates returning to school today. RIP Mackenzie."

Mackenzie's death comes after a number of other water-related fatalities in recent weeks, including three others in Yorkshire.

On Sunday, a 13-year-old girl died after going missing in a river in North Yorkshire.

The teenager was found in the River Wharfe, near Burnsall, in the Yorkshire Dales, and later died in hospital.

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 also 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.

On 26 May, the body of a teenager was recovered from the water at Rother Valley Country Park, Rotherham.

A day earlier, a 13-year-old boy died after getting into difficulty at Leadbeater Dam, near Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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