A five-year-old boy tragically lost his life in hospital after being rescued from the River Thames.
Daniel Alaby was reported missing after he was last seen playing with his brother at their home in Thamesmead, southeast London, at 5.30pm on Friday.
In response, the police initiated an urgent search effort, which included deploying a helicopter, until a child was discovered in the river at 6.23pm.
The boy, believed by the police to be Daniel, was rushed to the hospital in critical condition but sadly was declared dead later that night.
A representative for the Met Police stated: “On Friday, 29 March, police made an appeal to find a missing child, Daniel Alaby.
“At 18:23hrs on the same day, officers searching for Daniel located a child in the River Thames. The officers retrieved the child from the water and performed CPR until the London Ambulance Service arrived.
“The child, presumed to be Daniel, was transported to the hospital in a critical state. Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead at the hospital later that night.”
They also mentioned that Daniel’s family is receiving support from the police and indicated that there seems to be no involvement of another individual in the incident.
The Thamesmead community, closely knit, poured out tributes for the young boy, expressing their collective sorrow on Saturday.
Reverend Sally Willett shared on Facebook: “A book of condolences for the community to sign, in memory of Daniel Alaby, will be available at the West Thamesmead Community Church’s Easter Eggstravaganza, at Heronsgate School today, from 2-4pm.
“Our hearts, filled with deep sympathy, love, and prayers, are with his family, friends, and our community during this heartbreaking time.”
