Frantic Search Underway for Missing 11-Year-Old Schoolgirl Who Fell into the River Thames
A desperate rescue operation is currently underway for an 11-year-old schoolgirl who reportedly fell into the River Thames near Woolwich, London. The incident occurred on Monday afternoon, around 1:15 PM, while she was paddling with a friend. Witnesses described hearing chilling screams for help as the girl vanished beneath the water.
Eyewitness Shaleen Rajaendram, 59, who lives on Barge House Road adjacent to the causeway, recounted the terrifying moments leading up to the incident. “I heard someone shouting, ‘wait there, wait, the police are coming,’” she said. “Then I saw two kids running up to the top of the bridge. I asked what happened, and they told me, ‘one of my friends was playing in the water, she’s gone under, and we can’t find her.’”
Local residents have expressed their shock and concern over the incident. One neighbor, who asked to remain anonymous, shared their understanding of the situation: “From what we gathered, the girl was playing by the water with two other children. We were initially puzzled as to why they weren’t in school, but many schools are closed for Eid. The little boy was holding her hand to help her step into the water, but it was incredibly slippery, and she lost her footing.”
“As soon as she fell, she disappeared into the tide. The boy ran to one of my neighbors for help, but it was too late. Meanwhile, the other child—a little girl—went off to get a donut. Everyone rushed out, but the water was freezing,” they added. “Just an hour ago, there were three helicopters and at least five ambulances on the scene. The road was packed with emergency vehicles. It’s now in the hands of the police, but we all know how slow they can be to respond.”
The search operation has mobilized a significant emergency response, including teams from the Metropolitan Police, the London Ambulance Service, and various search and rescue units. The Coast Guard, Border Force vessels, and a helicopter have also joined the effort, scouring the river for any sign of the missing girl.
Kerry Benadjaoud, 62, another local resident, described the frantic scene: “My neighbor was in her garden when two young children came running up, saying, ‘my friend’s in the water.’ She called for help, and I rushed to grab a nearby life ring.” The two women reside on a residential street leading directly to Barge House Causeway, a concrete slope that descends into the Thames.
Benadjaoud recounted hearing a man say he had called the police but that he witnessed the girl’s hands going down into the water. “By the time I got there with the life ring, she was already gone,” she lamented. “I found her shoes, a sock, a coat, and a phone near the riverbank, and I handed them over to the police.”
According to local accounts, the girl had been playing with other children before the tragic accident. “A little boy told me, ‘I tried to hold her hand, but it slipped,’” Benadjaoud said. “I felt it was important to inform his parents that he might need support, as this could affect him deeply later on.” It was reported that the girl had taken off her socks and shoes to paddle in the river when she slipped and fell.
Despite the extensive search efforts, there has been no confirmation of recovery as of yet. The Metropolitan Police released a statement, saying, “Police were called at approximately 1:15 PM on Monday, March 31, to reports of an 11-year-old girl who had entered the River Thames near Barge House Causeway, E16. A large-scale response is ongoing, supported by all emergency services, conducting an extensive search to locate her. Her next of kin have been informed and are receiving support from officers.”
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Joseph Kenny stated: “Firefighters were dispatched following reports of a person in the River Thames near Lowestoft Mews, Newham. Crews from East Ham, Barking, Ilford, and Bexley fire stations responded, along with HM Coastguard, RNLI, the London Ambulance Service, and the Metropolitan Police Service. Our drone team and fireboat were also deployed to assist in the systematic search of the area.” The search operations by firefighters concluded at 3:49 PM, after which the responsibility for the incident was handed over to the police.
The Sun has reached out to HM Coastguard for further comments regarding the ongoing search.
