An 11-year-old girl who died in the River Thames after a major search had asked her father if she could "dip her toes" in the water, an inquest has heard. Kaliyah Coa disappeared at Barge House Causeway, east London, on March 31, 2025. Following a large-scale search, her body was recovered on April 13, 2025.
Inquest records accidental death
At East London Coroner's Court, coroner Graeme Irvine recorded Kaliyah's death as accidental, concluding she died from immersion in the River Thames. He said: "It seems to me that the only short-form conclusion I can give is accidental death."
The court heard Kaliyah had attended a birthday party the day before her death and asked her father if she could stay for a sleepover. Mr Coa opposed the idea initially, as it would have been the first time she stayed at that address, but agreed after speaking with the other child's father. He said: "I didn't want to spoil the fun, so I said it was okay."
Events leading to the tragedy
The next morning, the children made breakfast and went to a nearby park, then headed to Barge House Causeway beside the Thames. Kaliyah spoke with her father while near the river, telling him she was near the Thames. Mr Coa said he would have been "more relieved" if she had gone to a park. Kaliyah asked if she could "dip her toes" in the water, and Mr Coa reminded her that "where she was, was not a beach." He raised his voice and told her to move away, and she replied: "Pops, I know about the currents."
Mr Coa initially thought Kaliyah being near the river "was a joke" but later said he was angry that no adult from the house told him they were outside.
Witness account
Nathan Guy, who lived overlooking the jetty, called 999 after seeing what happened. He said he saw five children playing near the jetty and heard one say: "You made me throw it." Kaliyah tried to retrieve a shoe another child had lost in the river, using a scooter. Another child told her: "It's too expensive, don't use that."
Mr Guy told police: "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." He said there was no obstruction to his view and the weather was sunny.
Coroner Irvine described what happened as "play" with no evidence of hostility. He said: "These were children who were friends. It is a testament of Kaliyah as a confident and helpful and kind child that she tried to help her friend."
Search and cause of death
A search operation involving the Coastguard and emergency services recovered Kaliyah's body on April 13, 2025. Pathologist Professor Alan Bates found Kaliyah was a "perfectly healthy child" with no significant injuries suggesting assault. The cause of death was immersion, with water found in her airways and lungs. The coroner said there was no suggestion of anything suspicious.
Mr Irvine said the other children should not be criticised for not entering the water, as England and Wales have "no Good Samaritan law," and entering the Thames would have been dangerous due to currents.
Family's questions
The court heard Kaliyah's family had questions about why they were not informed the children had left the house. Mr Irvine said he understood but was not there to apportion blame. He added: "I know it is not the answer you wanted to hear." He noted allowing children to play without adult supervision was a difficult parenting issue, with no criticism from police or safeguarding agencies.
Closing the inquest, Mr Irvine 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."
