Boy, 5, Dies in London Hospital After Authorities Recover Body from River Thames: Police
The child reportedly is the third person discovered in the River Thames since Thursday in unrelated incidents
A 5-year-old boy was pronounced dead after authorities recovered his body from London’s River Thames.
Daniel Alaby, who went missing from his home in Thamesmead, south-east London, on Friday, is believed to have been found less than an hour later in the body of water, a Metropolitan Police spokesperson told PEOPLE on Saturday.
After police issued an appeal to locate Alaby, a child's body was found in the River Thames at 6:23 p.m. local time, at which time police “administered CPR prior to the arrival of” an ambulance.
“The child, who is believed to be Daniel, was taken to hospital in a critical condition. He was pronounced dead at hospital later that evening," Metropolitan Police said. “Daniel’s family have been made aware. They are being supported by police officers.”
Daniel was last seen playing with his brother at their home at 5:30 p.m. before the body was discovered, The Independent reported.
“Enquiries are under way to establish the circumstances of the incident,” police shared in a statement, encouraging anyone with information to contact them. “At this very early stage, there is no evidence to suggest that any other person was involved. Enquiries continue to establish the circumstances.”
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Members of the local Thamesmead community are already sharing tributes for the young boy, with The Independent reporting that Rev. Sally Willett from West Thamesmead Community Church was encouraging locals to sign “a book of condolences” in his memory.
“Our deepest sympathy, love and prayers, go out to his family, friends and the community at this tragic time,” Willett wrote.
The child is the third person to be discovered in the River Thames since Thursday, The Daily Mail reported. The others include a man whose body was discovered at Waterloo Bridge, and a man who died after his car was reportedly pulled out of the water on Thursday.
Citing a source, The Sun reported that Alaby's father was an “absolute wreck” after hearing the news of his son's death. Labour Councillor for Thamesmead Moorings, Averil Lekau, also told the outlet that there was “no way” Alaby could’ve climbed over a barrier into the water.
“This is a busy place. It's got people running, cycling, all the time, so from walking over from there [boy's home], somebody would have seen a kid of that age on their own and for me that would have set off alarm bells,” she said. “This is so unusual. I've lived in Thamesmead for 40 years. It's not something we have ever experienced.”
Locals have continued to leave flowers at the site where the child's body was recovered, The Sun said.
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