The family of a 13-year-old boy who was found dead in the River Taff on Tuesday said “there will not be a day where we will not miss him”. Aryan Ghoniya was found near Melingriffith water pump in Whitchurch in the river on Tuesday at 5.45pm after a huge emergency services operation to find him.
Some left balloons, tributes and flowers for Aryan beneath the bridge on Wednesday afternoon. Specialist police were also pictured in the area following the incident.
At around 4.45pm on Tuesday, emergency services received a report of children in the River Taff near Forest Farm Road and that one boy was missing. Police, paramedics, the fire service and lifeguards were all involved in the search which reportedly included a helicopter that flew back and forth “very close to land” according to residents. Aryan was found an hour later and couldn’t be resuscitated.
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A family statement said: “The family is devastated by the tragic loss of Aryan Ghoniya, beloved son of Jitendra and Hina and caring brother to Naviya. We are extremely grateful to all the emergency services for their efforts in the search for Aryan. We are also grateful to the police for their ongoing support.
“We are touched by the support received from the community, Danescourt Primary School and Radyr Comprehensive School, both of which he loved. Our thanks also to the A&E staff at Heath hospital.
“Aryan was our ‘Little Professor’, brilliant at maths, an all-rounder academically. He was very charming and caring boy with warm personality and was loved by all who knew him. There will never be a day when we will not miss him and he will remain in our hearts forever.
“We strongly urge all parents to explain to their children the danger of playing in rivers. We do not wish any parents to go through the tragedy we are going through.”
One tribute at the scene read: "You never know the last time you'll see a place or a person. You'll always have a place in our hearts." Another letter said: "You will be missed so much by everyone, you never failed to put a smile on our face and you will be in our hearts forever."
Police were blocking access to a footpath near the scene on Wednesday afternoon as the police diving team were to begin further investigations. Samantha Camilleri, who has lived in Whitchurch for much of her life, recalled Tuesday’s incident: “There were sirens going off constantly and I’d realised immediately that they were looking for someone. The helicopter came down very close."
She added: "Everyone knows one other here and it will come as a huge shock to the community. Those poor parents too - absolutely heart-breaking.” For more Cardiff news sign up to our Cardiff newsletter here.
Another woman living close to Forest Farm Road where emergency services were initially posted before relocating to the water pump said she had initially thought the incident was a forest fire due to the “sheer volume of fire engines”. They added: "It was quite obvious something very serious had happened.”
Headteacher of Radyr Comprehensive School, Andrew Williams, said: “Aryan will be remembered as an outstanding, hardworking, and conscientious student with a real warmth of personality. He was a credit to his family and the school community and an absolute pleasure to be around. Our heartfelt sympathy is with Aryan's family."
Whitchurch and Tongwynlais' joint Labour councillors page shared its own tribute to Aryan. They said: "Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the 13-year-old boy who has died. It is clear there was a rapid and significant response from emergency services and we await further detail."
According to the National Water Safety Forum there were 26 deaths in Wales from accidental drowning in 2021 across inland and coastal locations. In 2020 there were 25. It is the second river death in south Wales in less than a month, after the body of another 13-year-old, Kane Edwards of Morriston, was found in the River Tawe, near Swansea Enterprise Park, on May 24.
On Tuesday evening Detective Inspector Abi Biddle said: "At 4.45pm today, Tuesday June 21, a report was received of children in the River Taff near Forest Farm Road, Whitchurch, Cardiff and one boy was missing. An extensive search was carried out by police, fire, ambulance, coastguard and the police helicopter.
“The missing 13-year-old boy was located in the river at around 5.45pm and, despite the efforts of the emergency services, he was unable to be resuscitated. The boy’s family has been informed and are being supported at this time. HM Coroner has been informed and an investigation into the circumstances of the incident is ongoing.”
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