11-year-old girl died in the River Thames after asking her father if she could ‘dip her toes’

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 has heard.Kalia Koa disappeared on 31 March 2025 after entering the water at Barge House Causeway, east London.

An extensive search was carried out, but her body was found two weeks later at Maritime Quay.

The girl’s death was ruled “accidental” at a hearing into her death at East London Coroner’s Court on Thursday, July 16, according to the Express. Coroner Graeme Irvine concluded that the girl died from drowning in the River Thames. “It seems to me that the only short conclusion I can make is accidental death,” Irvine told the inquest, which was attended by her parents, grandmother, uncle and aunts.

He said earlier that “the effect of being in cold water would have caused loss of consciousness and death relatively quickly,” according to People magazine.

The moments before the tragedy

The court heard that Kalia attended a birthday party the day before her death. The girl asked her father if she could sleep. Her father was initially against it, because it was her first time at that address, but agreed after speaking with the child’s other father, 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 the Barge House Causeway beside the River Thames. While Kalia was near the river bank, she called her father to tell him where she was. Mr Cua stated that he would have felt “more comfortable” if she had gone to a nearby park instead. The teen then asked her father for permission to “dip her toes” in the water.

He refused, raised his voice and ordered her to move away from the edge.

He “reminded her that where she was was not a beach,” Cua said in his statement.“Bob, I know about currents,” Callia replied. Her father said he wasn’t sure at first if it was a “joke.” “I’m angry now because no adult from the house told me they were outside,” he said.

Last moments

Nathan Jay, who lived overlooking the pier, witnessed what happened next.

In his statement, Mr Guy said he saw five children playing near the jetty. He called emergency services after witnessing the accident. According to him, one of the children lost his shoes in the River Thames and Kalia was trying to help recover them. “She made me throw it away,” one child said. Kalia used her motorcycle to get further.

The other kids discourage her. One of the children reportedly told Kalia: “It’s too expensive, don’t use it.”

Jay told police: “I saw the girl at 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 Irvine found no evidence of hostility between the children and described what happened as a “game”. He also added that there was no evidence of intentional bullying or any “dark intentions.”The coroner added: “These children were friends. It is testimony to Kalia as a confident, helpful and kind child who tried to help her friend.”Following searches by emergency services and the Coastguard, Kalia’s body was recovered on 13 April 2025. Professor Alan Bates, a pathologist and forensic expert, examined the body and found that the deceased was a “completely healthy child” and had no major injuries indicative of abuse. Water in the airway and lungs confirmed the cause of death. The coroner concluded that there was no evidence of anything suspicious related to Kalia’s death.The coroner also added that the other children should not be blamed for not entering the water to save Calea, 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. Irvin said he understood their need for answers but refused to place blame. “I know that’s not the answer you wanted to hear.” Mr Irvine also addressed the broader issue of unsupervised gaming, and said there had been no criticism from police or safeguarding agencies.

“This was in an era where freedom was gradually being given to children,” he said.

“I am fully aware that my role in this investigation is to be a judge. At times that can appear stern or uncaring. This is a case that has haunted me from the moment I received it in April 2025. I view this as a tragic accident. The circumstances of Calia’s death were completely unexpected. The shock felt by the family must have seriously affected their grief.”

I want to offer my sincere condolences to all of Kalia’s family and friends.

Mr Irvine said at the conclusion of the inquest: Please accept my condolences.Kalia’s death has shaken the family. Last year, the family said they would “never be the same,” the BBC reported.Kalia’s aunt, Jade Cua, has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money to honor her memory. “Kalia 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 on to,” she wrote.