Tributes to 'beautiful' girl, 9, who 'slipped & fell into Thames playing with cousin'

A family has paid tribute to a "beautiful" young girl who died after slipping and falling into a major river while playing with her cousin.

The girl, named as "Bia" on social media, fell into the Thames at Royal Terrace Pier in Gravesend, Kent, with the alarm raised at 1.45pm on Saturday after two children got into difficulty in the river. She is understood to have been playing with her cousin near the water when she slipped and the current pulled her in. Heartbroken family members have taken to social media to share their tributes, with one saying the youngster "had her whole life ahead of her".

They added she "had the life that was decided by God", saying: "Oh, she left us speechless, this little girl had her whole life ahead of her, but she had the life that was decided by God. Smooth road to heaven, my niece."

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

Another relative, Leon Alkapone, described her as "my niece, my beautiful angel". And a third post called on God to comfort the "grieving" family. They said: "Rest In Peace, Little Angel, Bia. May God comfort the grieving family." A body was found at 11.40am on Sunday during the search for the young girl, with formal identification made by her next of kin, said.

A spokesperson for the service said at the time: "Kent Police's Marine Unit and HM Coastguard continued the search of the water and river bank this morning.

At around 11.40am, a body was recovered from the river near Gravesend with the assistance of the RNLI. Formal identification by the missing girl's next of kin has taken place. The death is not being treated as suspicious at this stage and a report will be prepared for the coroner."

The spokesperson added: "Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the young girl at this incredibly difficult time. We would like to thank all those who assisted in the extensive search.”

The Port of London Authority, HM Coastguard, South East Coast Ambulance Service and RNLI crews all helped coordinate search efforts to locate both children. A boy who plunged into the water alongside her was rescued and rushed to hospital, with police saying his condition was "not described to be life-threatening". He is currently in a stable condition.

Police have said they are not treating the girl's death as suspicious.