Missing girl, 11, last seen paddling in the Thames pictured for first time
An 11-year-old girl who went missing after being seen paddling in the Thames has been pictured for the first time.
Kaliyah Coa had been playing with friends during a school inset day when she entered the river near Barge House Causeway, near Woolwich, east London, on Monday afternoon.
Police named the child on Tuesday evening, with an 'extensive' search under way to locate her. Since the incident, helicopters and rescue boats have been seen patrolling the stretch of water for any sign of the Kaliyah.
Ambulance crews, paramedics and a hazardous area response team were dispatched by the London Ambulance Service, and an RNLI lifeboat was launched.
Chief Supt Dan Card, the local policing commander, said: 'Our specialist officers are supporting Kaliyah's family through this deeply upsetting time and our thoughts go out to all those impacted by what has happened.
'We are committed to finding Kaliyah and are working with partners to conduct a thorough search over a wide area – utilising drone technology and boats.
'I'd like to thank the members of the public, our first-responding officers, and colleagues from other emergency services, as they responded rapidly to carry out a large-scale search during a highly pressurised and distressing time.
'Equally we appreciate this has affected the wider community, who have been extremely supportive.
'You will see extra officers in the area during the coming days – if you have any concerns, then please speak to them.'
Neighbours described hearing shouts and screams, while other children playing at the time said a girl had disappeared in the water and they could not find her.
Kerry Benadjaoud, 62, said she had taken a life ring down to the water but could not see the girl.
The grandmother, who was born and raised in the area, said she found shoes, a sock, a coat and a phone near the river and 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.
Barge House Causeway is a concrete slope that goes directly into the River Thames, and is used to move boats. Residents pointed out that it appeared to be covered in moss and was dangerously slippery.
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