An 11-year-old girl went missing while paddling in the River Thames near Barge House Causeway on Monday afternoon. Residents reported seeing the girl playing in the water, alongside two other children, when she slipped and entered the river. Emergency services, including Metropolitan Police, HM Coastguard, and RNLI, conducted a significant search effort, though they were later stood down. Witnesses found personal items near the water, and concern was raised for a boy who had been with the girl, highlighting the emotional impact of the incident on young witnesses.
"Kerry Benadjaoud, 62, told the Press Association she discovered shoes, a sock, a coat and a phone near the river, and had handed the items to the police."
"Apparently she was paddling, so her socks and shoes were off, her coat, then she must have slipped and gone down," she added.
"The little boy turned around and said 'I tried to hold her hand but it slipped'. I said to the little boy's parents, obviously he needs to see someone because it's going to affect him later."
Residents said that the slope appeared to be covered in moss and was slippery.
Collection
[
|
...
]