Missing girl, 11, ‘was playing at the River Thames with pals when she slipped and fell in’ – as search and rescue teams scour London waterway

Residents have told of their horror after they heard children ‘shouting and screaming’ as an 11-year-old girl reportedly fell into the River Thames. 

A major search operation was launched in Woolwich, London, after midday on Monday after the youngster vanished while she was said to have been down at the water with her friends. 

Police earlier said they were raced to the waterway at around 1.15pm to Barge House Causeway, and that the schoolgirl had not been located in the hours that followed. 

Passersby had reportedly been alerted to the horror unfolding by the shouts and screams of the 11-year-old’s friends.

Shaleen Rajaendram, 59, who lives next to Kerry Benadjaoud on Barge House Road, said: ‘I heard upstairs a guy was screaming “wait there, wait, the police is coming”.’

She added the man had been standing on a balcony in a flat block overlooking the river, saying he later told her he had become aware of the situation by the children ‘shouting, screaming’.

The mother continued: ‘Then I saw suddenly two kids were coming out to the top of the bridge, I said “what happened?”

‘Then they said “one of my friends was playing in the water, one of my friends has gone into the water and she’s gone underneath and we can’t find her”.’

Coastguards and paramedics were among those rushed to the scene along with multiple search and rescue teams

The terrifying event occurred this afternoon near Woolwich, London at Barge House Causeway prompting a ‘large-scale response’

One girl reportedly returned home while the boy showed Ms Rajaendram where the event took place, calling her to collect a life ring.

Ms Rajaendram said ‘the water is very high’, adding the causeway that appeared to be covered in moss was very slippery.

Another young boy who had been playing near the River Thames claimed he tried to hold the girl’s hand after she entered the water but it slipped.

Kerry Benadjaoud said she took a life ring to the water’s edge in a bid to rescue the girl, who had been on a day off school at the time.

Ms Benadjaoud, 62, said: ‘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.’

She added the boy had been about eight or nine years old, and said: ‘Apparently she was paddling, so her socks and shoes were off, her coat, then she must have slipped and gone down.’

The mother said she carried a life ring to the Thames shoreline to try and save the girl who had entered the water, but she was unable to find the child.

Authorities have made use of drones, boats and aerial support though there is yet to be any confirmation of recovery at this time

Ms Benadjaoud said: ‘My neighbour next door, she was outside doing her garden and there was two little kids running, and they said “my friend’s in the water”.’

The neighbour called Ms Benadjaoud, who said she then went to pick up a nearby life ring.

The two women live on a residential street that leads onto Barge House Causeway – a concrete slope that goes directly into the River Thames and is used to transport boats.

A man told Ms Benadjaoud he had called the police, she said, adding: ‘But he said at the time he could see her (the girl’s) hands going down. So, by the time I got down there with the ring I couldn’t find her.’

Ms Benadjaoud said she found shoes, a sock, a coat and a phone near the river, and handed the items to the police.

Today’s operation involved Border Force vessels and a search and rescue helicopter – with a large presence still in place along the riverbank.

Authorities made use of drones, boats and aerial support – and tragically there has been no update on the youngster’s whereabouts.

Metropolitan Police said: ‘Police were called at around 13:15hrs on Monday, 31 March to reports of an 11-year-old girl who had entered the River Thames near to Barge House Causeway, E16.

A fire rescue boat carries out an extensive search of the area after police were called this afternoon

‘A large scale response is ongoing, supported by all emergency services, working together to conduct an extensive search in efforts to locate her.

‘Her next of kin have been made aware and are being supported by officers.’

The London Ambulance Service said: ‘We sent resources to the scene, including an ambulance crew, an advanced paramedic, an incident response officer and members of our hazardous area response team.

‘Our crews assisted our emergency services partners at the scene but were later stood down.’

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Joseph Kenny added: ‘Firefighters responded to reports of a person in the River Thames near Lowestoft Mews, Newham.

‘Crews from East Ham, Barking, Ilford and Bexley fire stations were sent to the scene alongside crews from the HM Coastguard, RNLI, London Ambulance Service and the Metropolitan Police Service. The Brigade also deployed its drone team and fire boat as part of its response, with crews carrying out a systematic search of the area.

‘The Brigade was first called about the incident at 1323. Search operations for firefighters were concluded at 1549, when responsibility for the incident was left with the police.’

It is understood the search has now been scaled back.

The RNLI said: ‘Tower RNLI was requested to launch this afternoon (March 31) to an incident near Woolwich.

‘The lifeboat was later stood down.’

MailOnline has contacted the HM Coastguard for comment.