An 11-year-old girl drowned in the River Thames after jumping into the water to retrieve a friend's shoe, an inquest has heard. Kaliyah Coa disappeared after entering the water at Barge House Causeway in east London on March 31, last year. Her body was recovered two weeks later, on April 13, following an extensive search operation by emergency services and the coastguard.
During an inquest at the East London Coroner's Court, her death was recorded as accidental. Coroner Graeme Irvine concluded Kaliyah died from immersion in the River Thames, stating, "It seems to me that the only short-form conclusion I can give is accidental death." He acknowledged the family's desire for answers but emphasized his role was not to apportion blame.
The court heard that Kaliyah had attended a birthday party the day before her death and then stayed for a sleepover at a friend's house. Her father, Mr. Coa, initially hesitated about the sleepover but agreed after speaking with the other child's father, not wanting to