Home / Disasters and Accidents / Toddler lost in floodwaters during walk
Toddler lost in floodwaters during walk
2 Feb
Summary
- Xielo Maruziva fell into the River Soar during a walk.
- Heavy rains had caused high water levels and fast currents.
- His body was found nearly four months after he disappeared.
A devastating incident claimed the life of two-year-old Xielo Maruziva, who fell into the River Soar in Leicester on February 18, 2024. The toddler was walking with his aunts in Aylestone Meadows nature reserve when he disappeared from view and entered the water. The river was experiencing high levels and strong currents due to recent heavy rainfall, making the conditions extremely dangerous.
Despite a significant search operation, Xielo's body was only discovered on June 6, 2024, nearly four months after his tragic fall. An inquest heard tearful testimony from his aunt, who described how Xielo slipped from the side of Packhorse Bridge. The bridge, which has a waist-height wall, lacks clear markings indicating its end, potentially contributing to the accident.
Family members recounted the desperate attempts to find Xielo, with his aunt jumping into the chest-deep, fast-flowing water. The area is a known flood plain, but there were no warning signs about potentially high water levels. The inquest is ongoing, aiming to understand the full circumstances surrounding this heartbreaking loss.
