A heartbreaking inquest has revealed how nine-year-old Luiza “Bia” Paun tragically drowned after slipping into the River Thames while playing on a jetty in Gravesend.
Girl Slips Into River While Playing at Gordon Promenade
On May 30 last year, Luiza, from Wrotham Road in Gravesend, was playing near the water at the Gordon Promenade when she took off her shoes and slipped into the river. Despite heroic efforts by nearby members of the public who jumped in to save her, she was swept away by the current and disappeared beneath the water.
Massive Search Operation Fails to Save Young Girl
- Emergency services, including Kent Police marine units, the coastguard helicopter, and RNLI lifeboats, launched a massive search for Luiza and two boys who got into trouble in the water.
- The boy, believed to be seven, was rescued and taken to the hospital in stable condition.
- Tragically, Luiza’s body was not found until the next day, near Newbridge Causeway, behind the Gravesend Rowing Club house, where she is thought to have entered the river.
A nearby witness, George Karnovski, described pulling the boy out of the water while frantically searching for Luiza, but she was nowhere to be seen.
“At the same time as pulling him out, I was looking around, shouting ‘there is one more’. I couldn’t find the little girl anywhere,” said the 37-year-old rescuer.
Community Mourns, Calls for Better River Safety
Following the tragedy, floral tributes and soft toys were left at the site, with messages like “Rest in peace, little one” and “May you find eternal peace in the arms of angels.”
Luiza’s family, believed to be from Romania, has described her as a “beautiful angel” with her whole life ahead of her. Gravesham MP Dr Lauren Sullivan expressed her deepest condolences and praised the emergency services for their efforts.
“I know there are many opinions about the circumstances, and it is right there is an investigation,” Dr Sullivan said. “But at the heart of this is a family and community in grief, which I hope everyone can respect.”
The inquest heard Luiza was playing with her cousin near the water when she slipped and was pulled in by the current.
Residents have since urged for increased safety measures along the riverbank. Suggestions include more warning signs about the dangers, with some written in multiple languages to better protect visitors.
Next Steps
The full inquest into Luiza’s death is scheduled for March 18 at Oakwood House, Maidstone.
Her tragic story is a stark reminder of the hidden dangers that rivers pose, especially to children. Calls for tighter river safety measures are growing louder in Gravesend and beyond.
