Pictured: Teenager, 13, who fell to his death off Tower Bridge


Pictured: Family of teenager, 13, who fell to his death off Tower Bridge on his way to school share treasured photos of him in school uniform and relaxing on sofa a week after body is identified

  • Zaheid Ali died after falling into the River Thames in central London on April 20
  • His body was recovered days later and identified but inquest yet to take place 
  • Family today shared images of Zaheid as City of London police confirmed age

Zaheid Ali, 13, died after falling into the River Thames in central London on April 20

Zaheid Ali, 13, died after falling into the River Thames in central London on April 20

The family of a teenager who fell to his death from Tower Bridge have today shared two treasured photographs of the schoolboy – a week after his body was identified. 

Zaheid Ali, 13, died after falling into the River Thames in central London on April 20.  

His body was recovered eight days later and identified as the Ark Globe Academy student, but an inquest into Zaheid’s death has yet to take place. 

The Year 8 pupil was said to have been travelling with a friend on a bus but did not arrive at the south London school on the day of his death.

It is understood he exited near the bridge, ahead of his usual stop closest to the school in Elephant and Castle. It remains unclear why.

The school is liaising with Zaheid’s family about how best to commemorate his life. 

A spokesperson for City of London Police said: ‘The family of Zaheid Ali has now formally identified the body recovered from the Thames on April 28 as that of Zaheid, who was seen falling into the river on April 20.

‘Our thoughts are with his family and friends.’

The force today released two pictures of Zaheid, provided by his devastated family.

One shows the boy dressed in his yellow and black school uniform, while the other shows him relaxing on a sofa.

His body was recovered eight days later and identified as the Ark Globe Academy student, but an inquest into Zaheid's death has yet to take place

His body was recovered eight days later and identified as the Ark Globe Academy student, but an inquest into Zaheid’s death has yet to take place

The Year 8 pupil was said to have been travelling with a friend on a bus but did not arrive at the south London school on the day of his death. Pictured: The scene on April 20

 The Year 8 pupil was said to have been travelling with a friend on a bus but did not arrive at the south London school on the day of his death. Pictured: The scene on April 20

A map shows the distance between his school, Ark Globe Academy, and the River Thames

A map shows the distance between his school, Ark Globe Academy, and the River Thames

Following the recovery of Zaheid’s body, Ark Globe Academy’s executive principal Matt Jones said: ‘We are very saddened to hear that a body has been found and that the police believe it is the missing student of ours.

‘Our hearts go out to his family and friends.

‘As a school community, we are pulling together ensuring all our students are supported at this difficult time.’ 

Witnesses to Zaheid’s fall described hearing screams nearby Tower Bridge before one woman jumped into the water to try and save him.

It is understood he exited near the bridge, ahead of his usual stop closest to the school in Elephant and Castle. It remains unclear why

 It is understood he exited near the bridge, ahead of his usual stop closest to the school in Elephant and Castle. It remains unclear why 

River police, firefighters, the RNLI and a police helicopter were involved in the search

River police, firefighters, the RNLI and a police helicopter were involved in the search

Despite using a life-float to swim into the Thames, she was only able to recover his school jacket and school bag.  

One witness, who was working on a building site on the South Bank, said at the time: ‘We all heard him screaming for help, and then a woman who was just walking past with her boyfriend grabbed a float and jumped into the river.

‘She said “why isn’t anybody helping him” before jumping in herself. 

‘The woman jumped in seconds after but all she could bring back was his school jacket and his bag. 

‘I saw police going through the bag and it had his school books and stationary in it, he was clearly very young.’  

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