Police searching for schoolgirl Kaliyah Coa after she fell into the Thames two weeks in the past discover a physique
Police have found a body in their hunt for schoolgirl Kaliyah Coa who fell into the Thames two weeks ago.
The 11-year-old was reportedly down at the water with her friends near Woolwich during a school inset day on Monday when she slipped and fell in.
A major search operation was launched by emergency services who raced down to the waterway at around 1.15pm to Barge House Causeway, East London.
However, they were unable to locate her.
The Metropolitan Police said her family has been told that a body was found in the river on Sunday morning.
A statement from the force said: ‘The Met was alerted to a body in the River Thames in Maritime Quay, E14 on Sunday, 13 April at 09:03hrs.
‘The body is yet to be formally identified. However, the family of Kaliyah Coa have been informed of this development and are being supported by specialist officers.
‘An update will be provided following formal identification.
‘Kaliyah’s family ask that privacy is respected at this time.’
Police have found a body in their hunt for schoolgirl Kaliyah Coa who fell into the Thames two weeks ago
The 11-year-old was reportedly down at the water with her friends near Woolwich during a school inset day on Monday when she slipped and fell in
According to witnesses, the youngster had been ‘playing in the water’ with a young boy and girl before she went under and did not come back up.
A passersby had reportedly been alerted to the horror unfolding by the shouts and screams before one woman desperately raced to the shoreline with a life ring in the hopes of rescuing the girl.
The woman found a pair of socks and shoes, a coat and a mobile phone by the water’s edge, which she later handed into the police.
Shaleen Rajaendram, 59, who lives next to Kerry Benadjaoud on Barge House Road, said: ‘I heard upstairs a guy was screaming “wait there, wait, the police is coming”.’
She added the man had been standing on a balcony in a flat block overlooking the river, saying he later told her he had become aware of the situation by the children ‘shouting, screaming’.
One girl reportedly returned home while the boy showed Ms Rajaendram where the event took place, calling her to collect a life ring.
Authorities have made use of drones, boats and aerial support though there is yet to be any confirmation of recovery at this time
A fire rescue boat carries out an extensive search of the area after police were called on Monday
Ms Rajaendram said ‘the water is very high’, adding the causeway that appeared to be covered in moss was very slippery.
Another witness, Kerry Benadjaoud, said she took a life ring to the water’s edge in a bid to rescue the girl, who had been on a day off school at the time.
Ms Benadjaoud, 62, said: ‘The little boy turned around and said “I tried to hold her hand but it slipped”.
‘I said to the little boy’s parents obviously he needs to see someone because it’s going to affect him later.’
She added the boy had been about eight or nine years old, and said: ‘Apparently she was paddling, so her socks and shoes were off, her coat, then she must have slipped and gone down.’
