A BODY found in the River Thames has been confirmed as an 11-year-old girl who went to a birthday party and never came home.
Kaliyah Coa vanished into the water while paddling with a friend near Woolwich, London, at the end of March.
George Cracknell WrightA body was found in Maritime Quay on Sunday, April 13[/caption]
Kaliyah Coa, 11, had been playing during a school inset day
A body was found in Maritime Quay on Sunday, April 13 at around 9am.
The Metropolitan Police have now sadly confirmed this to be Kaliyah.
A force spokesperson said: “Officers responded to reports of a girl entering the River Thames at 13:23hrs on Monday, 31 March.
“Kaliyah had been playing near Barge House Causeway during a school inset day.
“First responders arrived on the scene swiftly to support His Majesty’s Coastguard, Royal National Lifeboat Institute, the London Ambulance Service and London Fire Brigade in a large scale search and rescue effort.”
In a statement Kaliyah’s heartbroken family said: “Our hearts are broken and our lives will never be the same. We were blessed to have Kaliyah, even if it was for such a short time.
“She will be missed so much. Kaliyah went to a birthday party and never returned home to her family.
“The family would like to thank all those who were involved in the search and recovery of Kaliyah.
“We sincerely hope that everyone will respect our wishes to be given the space and time to grieve as a family.”
Detective Superintendent Scott Ware, who led the Met’s investigation, added: “This tragic accident took away a little girl who was loved by many. Our specialist officers will continue to support Kaliyah’s family as they process this heart-breaking news.
“I echo her family’s request for privacy while they navigate the difficult road ahead, and urge the public to refrain from wholly inaccurate speculation both on and offline.
“I would like to extend my thanks to our search and recovery teams, supported by blue light partners. I know the local community has been deeply impacted by this incident and also thank them for their support.”
An inquest into Kaliyah’s death is due to open on Friday, May 2.
Cops said she had been playing during a school inset day and entered the water near Barge House Causeway in North Woolwich on March 31.
The youngster, of Beckton, had been staying with pals during an inset day, having celebrated her birthday the week before.
It’s understood Kaliyah took off her shoes to paddle in the water – but slipped and fell before being swept away by the current.
An emergency response was immediately launched, with multiple search and rescue teams dispatched.
A relative previously told The Sun: “It was her birthday last week. She had only just turned 11.
“She was a beautiful bubbly girl. A very happy girl and lovely girl.”
UKNIPKaliyah fell in the Thames just at 1.15pm on March 31 afternoon in Woolwich[/caption]
SuppliedRescue teams and police[/caption]
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