On Air Now

This is the Coast

6:00pm - 10:00pm

  • 01723 336444

Now Playing

Bangles

Manic Monday

Download

Search for 11-year-old boy who went missing after entering river in South Yorkshire

A search is under way for an 11-year-old boy who went missing after being seen entering a river in South Yorkshire.

The schoolboy was seen getting into the River Don in Mexborough on Saturday, but he was not seen getting out, police said.

South Yorkshire Police were called to Ferry Boat Lane at about 8pm, and a major search operation was subsequently launched.

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.

"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."

In addition to police, the search also included personnel from the National Police Air Service, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and the Yorkshire Ambulance Service.

Read more from Sky News:
Record-breaking heatwave gives way to cooler weather
Murder investigation launched after woman's death

Specialist rescue crews were seen on the streets of Mexborough on Sunday, as they carried out their search.

The boy's family have been informed and is being supported by specialist officers.

South Yorkshire police asked the public not to speculate on the search and show the family the "dignity they deserve".

The village in south Yorkshire, which has a population of about 14,600, is about 12 miles (19km) from Sheffield.

The search comes amid the deaths of several young people who got into difficulty in open water during the recent heatwave.

The deaths include 12-year-old Junior Slater who died after getting into difficulty in the River Ribble at Ribchester in Lancashire and more than 10 others aged in their teens.

Sky News

(c) Sky News 2026: Search for 11-year-old boy who went missing after entering river in South Yorkshire

Want to See More from This is the Coast?

Click here to set This is the Coast as a preferred source on Google search.

Love living on the Yorkshire Coast? So do we.

This is the Coast is 100% locally owned and operated. We don’t rely on public funding or government grants—we rely on our community.

Producing trusted, fact-checked local news takes time and resources. If you value having a dedicated team of professional journalists fighting for our region, please consider supporting us.

Help keep the Yorkshire Coast informed for the price of a coffee a month.

Support Local Journalism Today

More from National News

Follow Us

Get Our Apps

Our Apps are now available for iOS, Android and Smart Speakers.

  • Available on the App Store
  • Available on Google Play
  • Just ask Amazon Alexa
  • Available on Roku

Today's Weather

  • Scarborough

    Sunny intervals

    High: 21°C | Low: 11°C

  • Filey

    Sunny intervals

    High: 20°C | Low: 12°C

  • Whitby

    Light rain shower

    High: 18°C | Low: 12°C

  • Bridlington

    Sunny intervals

    High: 21°C | Low: 11°C

  • Hornsea

    Sunny intervals

    High: 20°C | Low: 11°C

  • Driffield

    Sunny intervals

    High: 21°C | Low: 11°C

News