Indian-origin family pays tribute to its 'Little Professor' drowned in river in Wales

London, June 23

The devastated Indian-origin family of a 13-year-old boy who drowned while cooling off in a river in Wales has released a moving tribute in his memory.

Aryan Ghoniya was reported missing in the Taff river in Cardiff on Tuesday and an extensive search was carried out by local police, fire, ambulance, coastguard and the police helicopter.

South Wales Police said that by the time he was located, emergency services were unable to resuscitate him.

“The family is devastated by the tragic loss of Aryan Ghoniya, beloved son of Jitendra and Hina Ghoniya and caring brother to Naviya Ghoniya but we are touched by the way the community, Danescourt Primary School, Radyr Comprehensive School, both of which he loved, and the emergency services including the police have been supporting us,” the family said in a statement released through police on Wednesday.

“Aryan was our ‘Little Professor’, brilliant at maths, an all-rounder academically. He was very loving with warm personality and 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,” the statement said.

Flowers, balloons and messages have been left on the riverbank by the teenager’s friends.

The police said the coroner had been informed and an investigation into the circumstances of the incident remained ongoing.