London, 23 June
The devastated Indian-origin family of a 13-year-old boy who drowned while freezing in a river in Wales has issued a touching tribute in his memory.
Aryan Ghonia was reported missing in the Taff River in Cardiff on Tuesday and extensive searches were conducted by local police, firefighters, ambulances, Coast Guard and police helicopters.
South Wales Police said that while he was there, emergency services were unable to revive him.
“The family is devastated by the tragic loss of Aryan Ghonia, the beloved son of Jitendra and Hina Ghonia, and Aryan Ghonia, the caring brother of Navia Ghonia, but the way the community, Danscourt Primary School, Radier Comprehensive School, both he loved We are impressed by that. And emergency services including the police are supporting us,” the family said in a statement issued through police on Wednesday.
“Aryan was our ‘little professor’, meritorious in mathematics, academically an all-rounder. He was very much loved with a warm personality and was loved by all who knew him. There will never be a day we don’t miss him. Will, and he will always be in our hearts,” the statement said.
Flowers, balloons and messages have been left on the banks of the river by the friends of the teenager.
Police said the coroner has been informed and the circumstances of the incident are under investigation.