An 11-year-old girl tragically passed away in the River Thames after requesting permission from her father to “dip her toes” in the water, as revealed in an inquest.
Kaliyah Coa went missing after entering the River Thames at Barge House Causeway in east London on March 31, 2025. A thorough search was conducted before her body was discovered.
During the inquest at the East London Coroner’s Court, which her parents, grandmother, uncle, and aunts attended, the death was ruled as accidental. Coroner Graeme Irvine determined that Kaliyah died due to immersion in the river and concluded it as an accidental death.
The court was informed that Kaliyah had been at a birthday party the day before and had asked her father for permission to stay over. Initially hesitant, her father agreed after discussing with the other child’s parent.
On the morning of the incident, the children prepared breakfast and then headed to a nearby park before making their way to Barge House Causeway by the river.
Kaliyah’s father recounted a conversation with her near the river, where she expressed her intention to dip her toes in the water. Despite warning her, she persisted, showing awareness of the currents.
A witness, Nathan Guy, who lived nearby, called emergency services after observing the events unfolding. He described the children playing near the jetty and the unfortunate incident leading to Kaliyah’s struggle in the water.
The coroner emphasized that there was no evidence of ill intent among the children, describing the situation as playful with no signs of deliberate harm.
The pathologist confirmed that Kaliyah was healthy and had no signs of assault. Her cause of death was attributed to drowning, with no suspicious circumstances identified.
Regarding the actions of the other children present, the coroner clarified that there is no legal obligation to risk personal safety in a rescue attempt. He highlighted the dangers of the river’s currents, emphasizing the need for caution.
Kaliyah’s family had concerns about the lack of supervision, but the coroner refrained from assigning blame, acknowledging the difficulty of balancing freedom and safety in parenting.
In conclusion, the coroner expressed condolences to Kaliyah’s family and friends, recognizing the tragic nature of the accident and the profound impact it had on them.