Emergency services in South Yorkshire say searches are underway for a missing 11-year-old boy who was last seen entering the River Don.
South Yorkshire Police say it was called to Ferry Boat Lane in Mexborough shortly before 8pm on Saturday 30 May after reports that the boy had entered the water but had not been seen getting out.
Other emergency crews from the National Police Air Service, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and the Yorkshire Ambulance Service are also in attendance.
Police say that the boy’s family has been informed and is being supported by specially trained officers.
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 underway and we are doing everything we can to find this young man.
“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.
“To give the boy and his family the dignity they deserve, we ask that people do not spectate or film the search operation.”
Credit: ITV News
Matt Gillatt, Area Manager for South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue said: “The River Don in places is quite deep and wide. We’ve searched this afternoon about a mile downstream from where the boy was last seen. We’re going back in to search another mile downstream.
On a series of incidents over the last 10 days involving youngsters entering open water around the country, he said: “The danger is there all year round. We’ve been blessed with some really nice weather but unfortunately that has made open water even more inviting.”
He also asked the public not to intervene in their rescue attempts, he said: “If we can ask members of the public who I know may want to help but it adds another layer of complexity. Let the emergency services do our job and we’ll do our best to find this young boy.”
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