Thames River tragedy search scaled back as missing girl slips from friend’s grasp
The Thames River search for an 11-year-old girl near London City Airport has been scaled back, with locals describing the heartbreaking moment she slipped beneath the surface after paddling with a friend. The incident, which occurred near Barge House Causeway in Newham, triggered a major emergency response from police, fire and coastguard teams. As of Monday evening, the girl was still missing.
Witnesses say the child had been playing at the water’s edge with a younger friend when she disappeared. The Thames River tragedy was echoed across social media and in conversations among nearby residents, many of whom rushed to help when they heard shouting. Kerry Benadjaoud, a local woman who has lived in the area all her life, described the urgency and helplessness of the moment. “My neighbour called out because two kids came running past saying their friend was in the water,” she told reporters. “I grabbed a life ring, but by the time I got to the river, I couldn’t see her.”
The Thames River tragedy unfolded along a steep concrete slipway that residents say is slippery and moss-covered. It’s typically used to launch boats into the river, but on warmer days it draws children looking to paddle. Ms Benadjaoud later found the girl’s shoes, coat and phone by the riverbank. “The little boy who was with her told me he tried to hold her hand but it slipped,” she said. “He must only be about eight or nine. I told his parents someone needs to talk to him – it’s going to stay with him.”
Emergency services were called just after 1.15pm. The London Ambulance Service, London Fire Brigade, RNLI, Coastguard and police responded quickly, with fire crews from East Ham, Barking, Ilford and Bexley joining the search. According to official updates from London Fire Brigade, their drone team and fire boat were deployed, along with specialist water teams, but the search was concluded just after 3.45pm with no success. Responsibility for the incident was handed back to the police.
The RNLI, who were stood down later that afternoon, confirmed that their Tower lifeboat team had been requested to assist near Woolwich, highlighting the scale of the response. Meanwhile, officers have made contact with the girl’s family and are offering support, though no further details have been released publicly.
This incident has raised questions locally about whether sites like Barge House Causeway should be more securely managed. “It looks like somewhere safe to play,” one resident said, “but it’s not. It’s steep, slippery and there’s no barrier.”
For local readers following recent developments around the Thames, our recent coverage of the Clean Air Neighbourhood scheme in Hammersmith and Fulham offers further insight into how Londoners are being affected by waterway and transport infrastructure planning.
As the search draws quiet and local residents begin to process what’s happened, many are simply hoping for answers and that the family receives the support they need in the coming days.
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