Girl, 11, died from effect of cold water - coroner

A girl who died after slipping into the River Thames is likely to have died "swiftly" from the effect of cold water, an inquest opening heard.

Kaliyah Coa, 11, was reported missing on 31 March after playing near Barge House Causeway in North Woolwich on a school inset day. Her body was recovered on 13 April.

Coroner Graeme Irvine said it appeared she had entered the water in an attempt to recover a lost shoe, but the detailed circumstances would be examined at a full inquest.

In a statement, Kaliyah's family said her death had broken their hearts and their lives would "never be the same".

It continued: "We were blessed to have Kaliyah, even if it was for such a short time. She will be missed so much. Kaliyah went to a birthday party and never returned home to her family."

An inquest into Kaliyah's death was opened on Friday morning at East London Coroner's Court, where coroner Mr Irvine explained he was required to have a hearing because her cause of death was "unnatural".

He told the court the provisional cause of death was immersion, pending further tests.

Preliminary post-mortem investigations suggested that Kaliyah had not died from drowning, the inquest heard.

Mr Irvine said of the preliminary findings: "The effect of being in cold water would have caused unconsciousness and death relatively swiftly.

"I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the parents. I cannot imagine the grief they must be going through."

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