Everything we know about missing 11-year-old boy not seen since entering water at River Don in Mexborough
Members of the public have been asked to stay away from the area
A specialist operation is underway in South Yorkshire after an 11-year-old boy went missing after entered a river in Mexborough last night.
Here’s everything we know so far.
Why is there a search operation in Mexborough?
Emergency services were called to the River Don at Ferry Boat Lane at about 8pm on Saturday, May 30.
A 999 call was placed after a boy entered the water but had not been seen getting out. He has not been seen since.
Emergency services were called to Ferry Boat Lane at about 20:00 BST on Saturday to reports a boy had entered the water but had not been seen getting out.
The boy’s identity has not been made public by South Yorkshire Police.
The end of Ferry Boat Lane before it reaches the water is gated, but there is separate path to a footbridge over the River Don, where there is a lock for canal boats.
The boy's family has been informed and is being supported by specially trained officers.
Who is at the scene?
The extensive search operation includes personnel from South Yorkshire Police, the National Air Service, South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue, and the Yorkshire Ambulance Service.
It is understood underwater search teams are at the scene, supported by drones and a helicopter.
Photos shared online show dozens of emergency vehicles on Ferry Boat Lane and surrounding streets.
What can the public do?
The public was asked to stay away from the scene and not to “spectate or film” the search operation.
Doncaster Response Team Inspector Neil Pryce said: "We know, from witnesses and items left on the riverbank, where the boy entered the water.
“To give the boy and his family the dignity they deserve, we ask that people do not spectate or film the search operation.
"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."
Tragedies in South Yorkshire
The search operation comes following a tragedy at Rother Valley Country Park on Bank Holiday Monday, May 25.
Muhammad Secka, aged 16, disappeared in the water on Monday and his body was recovered from the lake the following day.
The teen had been seen entering the water but when he did not re-emerge the alarm was raised, triggering a major search and rescue operation.