Inquest opened into river death of 11-year-old boy during heatwave in Mexborough
Last updated 11th Jun 2026
An inquest has been opened for an 11-year-old boy who died after getting into difficulty in a South Yorkshire river during the recent heatwave.
Mackenzie Swift was last seen entering the River Don, near Mexborough, on May 30.
The alarm was raised when he did not emerge from the water, prompting a 48-hour search.
Mackenzie’s body was recovered on June 2, taking the number of open-water deaths during the heatwave to 17.
An inquest into his death was opened and adjourned at Doncaster Coroner’s Court on Thursday.
Area coroner Louise Slater heard that on May 30, emergency services were alerted to a report of a child in difficulty in the water.
Coroner’s officer Siobhan Golightly said: “It was reported that the child had entered the water.
“Upon arrival the emergency services launched an extensive search and rescue operation.
“Sadly, on June 2 the body of Mackenzie Swift was located and recovered.”
The coroner heard Mackenzie was formally identified by his father.
“Although the precise cause of death is yet to be confirmed, the pathologist noted features in keeping with drowning,” Ms Golightly said.
The hearing was told Mackenzie’s body could be released to his family for the funeral, and a final inquest into his death would take place on February 16 next year.
Ms Slater said: “I would like to wish my most heartfelt condolences to Mackenzie’s family at this most difficult time.”