An 11-year-old girl tragically lost her life in the River Thames after requesting permission from her father to play by the water, according to details revealed during an inquest.
Kaliyah Coa went missing after venturing into the river at Barge House Causeway in east London on March 31, 2025. A thorough search operation was initiated, leading to the discovery of her body.
During the inquest held at the East London Coroner’s Court with her family members present, the incident was declared accidental by Coroner Graeme Irvine. He determined that Kaliyah’s passing resulted from immersion in the River Thames, leading to the conclusion of accidental death.
The court learned that Kaliyah had attended a birthday celebration the day before her untimely death and had requested to stay overnight at a friend’s place. Despite initial reservations from her father, he eventually agreed to the sleepover after consulting with the other child’s parent.
On the morning following the sleepover, the children prepared breakfast before heading to a nearby park and eventually making their way to Barge House Causeway along the riverbank.
Kaliyah’s father recounted a conversation with his daughter near the river, where she expressed her desire to dip her toes in the water. He cautioned her about the dangers, but Kaliyah insisted. Tragically, she attempted to retrieve a lost shoe in the water, leading to the fatal accident witnessed by a nearby resident who promptly called emergency services.
The coroner emphasized that the children involved were friends, highlighting Kaliyah’s character as a helpful and kind individual. Despite the tragic outcome, there was no evidence of malicious intent or foul play relating to the incident.
A subsequent examination by the coroner’s pathologist confirmed that Kaliyah was in good health with no signs of assault. The cause of death was determined to be immersion, with no suspicious circumstances identified.
Regarding concerns raised by Kaliyah’s family about supervision and communication, the coroner acknowledged their distress but refrained from assigning blame. He stressed the importance of gradually granting children independence as they grow older.
In closing the inquest, the coroner expressed his condolences to Kaliyah’s loved ones, acknowledging the profound impact of the unexpected tragedy. He extended sympathies to the family and friends of Kaliyah, recognizing the profound loss they experienced.