Search launched for boy, 11, last seen entering South Yorkshire river after 14 Brits across UK drown in open water
A search is under way for an 11-year-old boy who went missing after he was last seen entering open water in South Yorkshire.
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Police said the boy entered the River Don in Mexborough on Saturday but was not seen getting out.
A major search operation was launched after South Yorkshire Police were called to Ferry Boat Lane at around 8pm.
Doncaster Response Team Inspector Neil Pryce said: "We know, from witnesses and items left on the riverbank, where the boy entered the water.
"Utilising specialist knowledge and skills, a coordinated multi-agency operation is under way and we are doing everything we can to find this young man.
"We are invaluably assisted by an underwater search team, supported from above by the police helicopter and drones.
Read more: Man, 19, pulled from Nottinghamshire lake becomes 14th Brit to die in open water
"This is a tragic incident and we understand that members of the public want to do all they can to help but we must ask that, for everyone's safety, only those who are involved in our operation enter the River Don."
The National Police Air Service, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and the Yorkshire Ambulance Service are also involved in search efforts.
Specialist rescue crews have been continuing the search into Sunday.
It comes as multiple people across the UK have died as the hot weather attracted many people to open-water swimming.
A 19-year-old man who was recovered from Balderton Lake in Nottinghamshire became the 14th person confirmed to have died amid the heatwave.
The death of 15-year-old Chiedza Nyanjowa was also announced on Sunday as tributes poured in for the 'kind spirited' teen.
Authorities have warned that while during periods of hot weather people want to keep cool, open waters are exceptionally dangerous as there is no way of telling what's beneath the surface.