An 11-year-old girl drowned in east London after entering the River Thames to retrieve a friend's shoe, an inquest has heard. Kaliyah Coa died on March 31, 2025, while playing with friends at Barge House Causeway during an inset day.
Witness describes the incident
Nathan Guy, who lives near the jetty, told police he saw five children playing nearby and heard one say 'you made me throw it'. He observed Kaliyah using a scooter to reach the shoe, while another child noted it was too expensive. Concerned, Guy called 999 and reported seeing the girl in the water. 'I saw the girl by the river. I called 999 and went back to the door and saw the girls struggling in the water. I turned away then I saw her head under the water,' he said.
Emergency response and recovery
Emergency crews, including the Coastguard, were called, but Kaliyah's body was not recovered until two weeks later on April 13. Shortly after she went missing, her aunt Jade-Leanne Coa launched a fundraiser that has raised over £10,000. She wrote: 'Kaliyah was the light of our lives — full of warmth, laughter, and so much love. The pain of her absence is indescribable, but the love she inspired in others, including so many of you, is something we will always hold close.'
Inquest findings
Pathologist Professor Alan Bates confirmed Kaliyah was otherwise healthy, concluding her cause of death as immersion after water was found in her airways and lungs. Coroner Graeme Irvine recorded an accidental death finding, stating she died from immersion in the River Thames. The court heard she had attended a birthday party the day before and asked her father for a sleepover. Initially against it, he agreed after speaking to her friend's dad.
The next morning, the children made breakfast, went to a nearby park, and then to the causeway. Kaliyah contacted her dad and asked if she could 'dip her toes' in the water. He first thought it was a joke but 'reminded her that where she was was not a beach'. Kaliyah replied: 'Pops, I know about the currents.' He later added: 'I was now angry that no adult from the house didn't tell me they were outside.'
Coroner's remarks
Coroner Mr Irvine noted no evidence of 'dark intent' or suspicious circumstances. He said: 'These were children who were friends. It is a testament of Kaliyah as a confident and helpful and kind child that she tried to help her friend.' He warned that entering the Thames is dangerous due to currents and conditions. He also said the other children should not be criticized for not entering the water to rescue Kaliyah, as there is 'no Good Samaritan law' in England and Wales.
Mr Irvine concluded: 'This is a case that has haunted me from the moment I received it in April 2025. I see this as a tragic accident. The circumstances of Kaliyah's death were completely unexpected. The shock that the family must have felt must have seriously impacted their grief. I want to offer my sincere condolences to all of Kaliyah's family and friends. Please accept my condolences.'
