An 11-year-old girl who drowned in the River Thames was attempting to retrieve her friend's shoe, an inquest has heard. Kaliyah Coa disappeared underwater at Barge House Causeway in East London on March 31, 2025, after entering the water to help a friend.
Inquest Reveals Tragic Circumstances
The inquest at East London Coroner's Court on Thursday, July 16, was attended by Kaliyah's parents, grandmother, uncle, and aunts. Coroner Graeme Irvine recorded her death as accidental, concluding that she died from immersion in the River Thames. He stated: "It seems to me that the only short-form conclusion I can give is accidental death."
The court heard that Kaliyah had attended a birthday party the day before her death and asked her father if she could stay for a sleepover. In a statement read to the court, Mr. Coa said he initially opposed the sleepover because it would have been Kaliyah's first time staying at that address. However, after speaking with the other child's father, he agreed: "I didn't want to spoil the fun, so I said it was okay."
Events Leading to the Tragedy
The children made themselves breakfast the following morning before going to a nearby park. Later, they made their way to Barge House Causeway beside the River Thames. Mr. Coa said he spoke to Kaliyah while she was near the river and would have been "more relieved" if she had gone to a nearby park instead. He recalled that Kaliyah asked if she could "dip her toes" in the water. Mr. Coa's statement noted that he "reminded her that where she was, was not a beach." He raised his voice and told his daughter to move away from the water, to which Kaliyah replied: "Pops, I know about the currents."
Mr. Coa initially thought Kaliyah being near the river "was a joke." He later said: "I was now angry that no adult from the house didn't tell me they were outside."
Witness Account
The court heard from Nathan Guy, who lived overlooking the jetty and called 999 after witnessing the incident. In a statement read to the court, Mr. Guy said he saw five children playing near the jetty and heard one child say: "You made me throw it." The inquest heard that one of the children had lost a shoe in the river, and Kaliyah tried to help retrieve it. Mr. Guy stated that Kaliyah used a scooter to try to reach the shoe before another child told her: "It's too expensive, don't use that."
Mr. Guy recalled that the weather was sunny with nothing obstructing his view. He told police: "I saw the girl by the river. I called 999 and went back to the door and saw the girl struggling in the water. I turned away then I saw her head under the water."
Coroner's Findings
Coroner Irvine said there was no evidence of hostility between the children, describing what happened as "play." He added there was no evidence of deliberate bullying or any "dark intent." 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."
After a search operation involving emergency services and the Coastguard, Kaliyah's body was recovered from the Thames on April 13, 2025. Professor Alan Bates, the coroner's pathologist and forensic medical expert, found Kaliyah was a "perfectly healthy child" with no significant injuries to suggest assault. He concluded her cause of death was immersion after water was found in her airways and lungs.
No Blame Attributed
The coroner said there was no evidence of anything suspicious related to Kaliyah's death. Mr. Irvine stated that the other children should not be criticised for not entering the water to rescue Kaliyah, as there is "no Good Samaritan law" in England and Wales. He added that entering the Thames would have been dangerous due to the currents and conditions.
The court heard that Kaliyah's family had questions about why they were not informed that the children had left the house to go to the park. Mr. Irvine accepted that the family wanted answers but said he was not there to apportion blame, adding: "I know it is not the answer you wanted to hear."
The coroner said allowing children to play without adult supervision was a difficult parenting issue but noted there was no criticism from police or safeguarding agencies. He said: "It was at an age where, incrementally, freedom is given to children."
Coroner's Condolences
Concluding the inquest, Mr. Irvine said: "I very much recognise that my role in this inquest is to be judge. Sometimes, that may come across as stern or uncaring. This is a case that has haunted me from the moment I received it in April 2025. I see this as a tragic accident." He added: "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."
