Search teams have recovered the body of an 11-year-old boy who went missing after entering a river, bringing the total number of open-water deaths during the recent heatwave to 17.
Incident Details
Mackenzie Swift was last seen entering the River Don near Mexborough, South Yorkshire, on Saturday evening. When he failed to emerge from the water, the alarm was raised, prompting a 48-hour search effort.
On Tuesday, South Yorkshire Police confirmed that a body had been recovered.
Chief Superintendent Pete Thorp, district commander for Doncaster, expressed his condolences: “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.”
Other Water-Related Deaths
The news that police had recovered Mackenzie’s body came after a 13-year-old girl was pulled from the River Wharfe in Burnsall, near Skipton, North Yorkshire, on Sunday evening. She was airlifted to hospital where she was pronounced dead, North Yorkshire Police said.
On Monday evening, Norfolk Constabulary issued a family tribute to Greg Howes after the 44-year-old died following an incident on the River Yare at Surlingham, Norfolk, on Friday.
The tribute read: “Greg was dearly loved by his family and loved spending time on the Norfolk Broads. At this sad time, his family would like to urge the public to take care and consider their safety when taking part in activities on the water on the Broads.”
Weather Context
Record May temperatures were recorded last Tuesday in England and Wales, but conditions have since dropped to average for the time of year, with thunderstorms and cooler temperatures expected.
Met Office meteorologist Rebecca Mitchell said the heatwave was “over” with a “big change on the way”, including cooler temperatures, rain, possible thunderstorms, and strengthening winds.
