Girl, 11, falls into River Thames sparking urgent police search
A major rescue operation is underway after an 11-year-old girl fell into the River Thames.
Emergency helicopters and boats have been searching the Thames since she entered the water close to Woolwich Ferry in east London at 1.15pm.
Rescue teams from across London were deployed in the search efforts and drones flew overhead as officers desperately looked for the girl.
A police spokesperson told Metro: ‘Police were called at around 1.15pm on Monday, March 31 to reports of an 11-year-old girl who had entered the River Thames near to Barge House Causeway, E16.
‘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.’
London Fire Brigade told Metro they were using drones to scour the river.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Joseph Kenny said: ‘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 13:23. Search operations for firefighters were concluded at 15:49, when responsibility for the incident was left with the police.’
The London Ambulance Service also sent a team to the Thames but they have now been stood down.
An LAS spokesperson 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 (HART).
‘Our crews assisted our emergency services partners at the scene but were later stood down.’
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) told Metro they were requested to launch this afternoon to an incident near Woolwich. The lifeboat was later stood down.
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