11-year-old girl died in River Thames after asking father to ‘dip toes’, inquest hears

An 11-year-old girl died in the River Thames after asking her father for permission to ‘dip her toes’ in the water, an inquest heard. Kaliyah Coa disappeared on March 31, 2025 after entering the water at Barge House Causeway, east London. A large-scale search was carried out, but her body was found two weeks later in Maritime Quay. The girl’s death was ruled ‘accidental’ at a hearing into her death at East London Coroner’s Court on Thursday, 16 July, according to Express. Coroner Graeme Irvine concluded that the girl died from immersion in the River Thames. “It seems to me that the only short-form conclusion I can give is accidental death,” Irvine said at the inquest, which was attended by her parents, grandmother, uncle and aunts. He earlier said that the “effect of being in cold water would have caused unconsciousness and death relatively swiftly”, according to People.

The moments before the tragedy

Kaliyah had attended a birthday party the day before her death, the court heard. The girl asked her father if she could have a sleepover. Her father initially opposed it, as it would have been her first time at that address, but agreed after speaking with the other child’s parent, according to Metro. “I didn’t want to spoil the fun, so I said it was okay,” the father reportedly said. The next morning, the children made breakfast and headed to a nearby park, the inquest heard. Later, they walked to Barge House Causeway beside the River Thames. While near the riverbank, Kaliyah called her father to tell him where she was. Mr Coa stated that he would have been ‘more relieved’ if she had gone to a nearby park instead. The preteen then asked her father for permission to ‘dip her toes’ in the water. He refused, raising his voice and instructing her to move away from the edge. In his statement, Mr Coa said that he ‘reminded her that where she was was not a beach’. To which Kaliyah replied, “Pops, I know about the currents.” Her father said he was initially uncertain whether it ‘was a joke’. “I was now angry that no adult from the house had told me they were outside,” he said.

The final moments

Nathan Guy, who lived overlooking the jetty, witnessed what happened next. In his statement, Mr Guy said he saw five children playing near the jetty. He called the emergency services after witnessing the incident. According to him, one of the children had lost a shoe in the River Thames and Kaliyah was trying to help retrieve it. “You made me throw it,” one of the children said. Kaliyah used her scooter to reach further out. Other children discouraged her. “It’s too expensive, don’t use that,” one child reportedly told Kaliyah. “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,” Mr Guy told the police. Mr Irvine found no evidence of hostility among the children and described what happened as ‘play’. He also added that there was no evidence of deliberate bullying or any ‘dark intent’. “These were children who were friends. It is a testament to Kaliyah as a confident, helpful and kind child that she tried to help her friend,” the coroner added. After search operations by emergency services and the Coastguard, Kaliyah’s body was recovered on April 13, 2025. Professor Alan Bates, the coroner’s pathologist and forensic medical expert, examined the body and found that the deceased was a ‘perfectly healthy child’ and had no significant injuries suggesting assault. The water in her airways and lungs confirmed the cause of death. The coroner concluded that there was no evidence of anything suspicious related to Kaliyah’s death. The coroner also added that other children should not be blamed for not entering the water to rescue Kaliyah, as there is ‘no Good Samaritan law’ in England and Wales. He also stated that entering the river would have been dangerous due to the currents and conditions. Irvine said he understood their need for answers but declined to assign blame. “I know it is not the answer you wanted to hear.” Mr Irvine also addressed the broader issue of unsupervised play and said there was no criticism from police or safeguarding agencies. “It was at an age where, incrementally, freedom is given to children,” he 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. 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,” Mr Irvine said, concluding the inquest. Kaliyah’s death has shaken the family. Last year, the family said they would ‘never be the same’, the BBC reported. Kaliyah’s aunt, Jade Coa, set up a GoFundMe page to raise money to honour her memory. “Kaliyah was the light of our lives, full of warmth, laughter and so much love. The pain of her absence is indescribable, but the love she inspired in others, including so many of you, is something we will always hold close,” she wrote.