A SCHOOLGIRL who vanished in the River Thames at a birthday party died “swiftly”; from cold water shock, an inquest heard.

Kaliyah Coa, 11, was reported missing on March 31 after playing near Barge House Causeway in Woolwich, South East .

Rescue boat on the river with crew members.Kaliyah vanished on March 31 in Woolwich

A huge search was launched but tragically, the youngster’s body was discovered two weeks later.

East London Coroner’s heard how Kaliyah’s death was “unnatural”; – prompting an inquest.

A provisional cause of death was immersion, pending further tests.

The post-mortem suggested that Kaliyah had not died from drowning, the inquest heard.

Senior coroner Graeme Irvine said: “The effect of being in cold water would have caused unconsciousness and death relatively swiftly.

“I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the parents. I cannot imagine the grief they must be going through.”;

A full inquest will be held at a later date.

Kaliyah was playing with another young girl and boy on a school inset day when she slipped into the Thames.

Her family yesterday paid tribute after confirmed a body pulled from Maritime Quay belonged to the schoolgirl.

They said “their hearts are broken”; and their lives will “never be the same”;.

The family added: “We were blessed to have Kaliyah, even if it was for such a short time. She will be missed so much.

“Kaliyah went to a birthday party and never returned home to her family.”;

Photo of Kaliyah Coa.An inquest was opened into the schoolgirl’s deathFloral tributes and a pair of purple fairy wings left at a fence.She was at a birthday party when the tragedy unfolded