Flags are flying at half-mast in Windsor Gardens, Cardiff in tribute to the 13-year-old boy who sadly died in the River Taff earlier this week. Aryan Ghoniya was found near Melingriffith water pump in the river on Tuesday, June 21 at 5.45pm after a huge emergency services operation to find him.
Sadly, despite the best efforts of the emergency services, Aryan was unable to be resuscitated and was declared deceased at the scene. The day after his death, Aryan's heartbroken family shared a poignant tribute to their beloved son and said he was their "Little Professor" who was "brilliant at maths, an all-rounder academically" and "very charming and caring".
Now, in their final statement following the passing of their son, Aryan's family have praised the local community and a local councillor for arranging a place where his friends can go to "leave a message or a tribute and remember the fun and happy times they shared with Aryan" in a local park. They visited Windsor Gardens in the Radyr area of the city and were moved at the sight of Indian and Welsh flags flying at half-mast and flowers, cards and balloons having been left in the park in a beautiful tribute to Aryan.
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Thanking the community for their support at this very upsetting time, Aryan's family said: "We appreciate the setting of Windsor Gardens in Radyr to be a quiet place where his friends can go, leave a message or a tribute and remember the fun and happy times they shared with Aryan.
"Thank you to Councillor Helen Lloyd Jones for enabling this. This is an impossibly difficult period for us but the gestures of kindnesses, the Indian and the Welsh flags flying at half-mast give us some comfort.
"Aryan was born in Wales, he was proud to be Welsh and we are proud to have been a member of his family. Thank you all for your support."
Earlier this week, Aryan's family shared a heartfelt tribute to their son and 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."
WalesOnline understands Aryan will be laid to rest in the coming days.
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