A woman in her 60s died and a man in his 60s was critically injured after they entered the water at Thornton-Cleveleys to rescue a dog, as emergency crews responded to the incident.

HM Coastguard and emergency services were alerted around 8:31 PM, and both casualties were retrieved from the water and treated at the scene before being taken to hospital.

The woman was pronounced dead at hospital, while the man remains in critical condition; the dog was rescued and recovered safely.

Separately, an urgent search is under way for an 11-year-old boy who entered the River Don in Mexborough and has not been seen since early evening on Saturday.

authorities urged caution in warm weather, reminding the public that water remains very cold and prompting careful judgment before entering it.

The deaths come amid a spell of hot weather associated with multiple water-related fatalities in the area, part of a broader heatwave.

Across the heatwave, at least 13 people, including children, have died in water-related incidents.

Emergency services, including Blackpool RNLI, North West Ambulance Service, and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, attended the Thornton-Cleveleys incident.

Lancashire Police and coastguard authorities reported no suspicious circumstances surrounding the woman’s death; a coroner’s file will be prepared and enquiries to identify next of kin are ongoing.

Authorities noted the high risk of drownings in warmer weather when people enter the water to help animals in distress.

The dog involved in the incident was recovered safe and well by responders.