Grieving mum of Mackenzie Swift's warning to parents about open water swimming in impending heatwave
"Open water is not a joke, lives can be changed in an instant”
The heartbroken mum of a little boy who drowned in a South Yorkshire river during the last UK heatwave has pleaded: "Please keep your children away from open water.”
Suzie Gough, 49, was at home watching TV when police officers knocked on her door on May 30 and explained her 11-year-old son Mackenzie Swift - known as Kenzie - was missing.
He had been playing with friends at an embankment called "Pebble Beach" near the River Don, near Mexborough, Doncaster, when he decided to get into the water despite not being able to swim.
He never resurfaced, and a large-scale search operation was launched.
Mackenzie's dad Michael Swift, 46, ran a mile down to the river to find the area swarming with police, with Kenzie's t-shirt and trainers by the river bank.
Tragically, his body was found 48 hours later on June 2.
Now his devastated mum has revealed how her last words to her son were: "Don't go too far - I need you back home in an hour."
Swimming in heatwave
Suzie is now warning other parents to be aware of the dangers of open water as Britain prepares to bask in another scorching heatwave, which could see temperatures hit 36C in South Yorkshire.
An amber weather warning for extreme heat is in place in Yorkshire, while large parts of South England have a rare red warning in place, stating the heatwave poses a threat to life.
The warning states large gatherings are more likely at coastal areas and bodies of water during the heat, increasing the chances of getting trouble while swimming.
But Suzie has pleaded with parents and children not to underestimate open water - no matter how hot it gets outside this summer.
She said: "They went because it was warm outside.
"The last words I said to him was 'don't go too far, I need you back home in an hour' as it was getting late into the evening, and I wanted him inside and ready for bed.
"But I never saw him again.
"I'll never forget when the police told me he was missing after playing in the river, my world fell from beneath me.
"Open water is not a joke, lives can be changed in an instant.
"I urge parents to tell their children not to go into the water.”
2026 saw the hottest May ever recorded, with sizzling 35.1C temperatures recorded in Kew Gardens, in London, according to The Met Office.
It revealed his dad identified his body.
And before adjourning the hearing Coroner’s officer Siobhan Golightly didn't offer a cause of death but said "the pathologist noted features in keeping with drowning".
A final inquest into Mackenzie's death would take place on February 16 next year.
City of Doncaster Council has been approached for a comment.