A two-year-old girl has died after a car she was briefly left in apparently rolled into a river in Wales.
Kiara Moore’s parents thought the vehicle had been taken and reported it stolen, prompting a police search.
The girl was rescued from the river Teifi in Cardigan, west Wales, but died at University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.
In the hour and 40 minutes the silver Mini was missing, members of Kiara’s family made desperate appeals for sightings.
Her mother, Kim Rowlands, wrote on Facebook after her car disappeared: “Can everyone look out for the car.” Rowlands’ sister Nicola said: “Please share and get my niece home safe!”
The car ended up in the river and police officers leapt into the water to try to rescue Kiara. She was then airlifted to hospital.
Jet Moore, the girl’s father, said on Facebook: “Thank you all for your help. A mega thank you the officers who jumped in the river and the rest of the emergency services for all they did. Unfortunately, Kiara had an amazing but short life.”
The car may have gone into the river close to the base of the adventure company he runs.
In another post on Facebook, Moore said: “They got in the car to go home. Sat on bank card which snapped and needed money to get home etc.
“Went back to the office to get money from the desk and came back to no car. Looked in the river. No signs. So we thought she and the car had been taken.
“The police found the car a while later and went way beyond the call of duty jumping in and pulling her out. They tried to revive her for hours but unfortunately could not. Everyone done their best.”
Of Kiara, he said: “She was an incredible happy young girl who lived I hope a great, adventurous, fun life. And may have done more than most people.
“Been skiing twice and skied herself! Paddled the Great Glen Scotland. Paddles the Wye. Played on every beach we could. She always wanted to be called Rar Rar which was our nickname for her. Love her so much.”
Kiara’s mother later wrote on Facebook: “Sadly yesterday my beautiful baby girl passed away! Due to my own stupidity, I will have to live with the guilt for the rest of my life! Mummy loves you baby girl and I’m so sorry!”
Police later said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the investigation. The car is understood to have been dragged 150 metres downstream after apparently rolling down a slipway used to launch boats and kayaks.
A spokesman for Dyfed-Powys police said: “Sadly, we confirm that Kiara Moore, aged two, was pronounced dead at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, last night, having been recovered from a car in the river Teifi, Cardigan, yesterday afternoon.
“If you saw anything, please call 101. Kiara’s family are being supported by specially trained officers during this time.”
HeddluDPPolice (@DyfedPowys)
We're investigating the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident and appeal for witnesses who may have seen the silver Mini enter the river between 3:30pm and 4:50pm on the afternoon of Monday, 19th March to call.
☎️ 101 quoting message 216 of 19/03/2018.
March 20, 2018
Police began to search for the car after a call at 3.30pm on Monday. They said it was last seen in Cardigan near the old Scout hall.
At the height of the search, there were 30 emergency services personnel from police, fire and coastguard units in Cardigan. A search of the river continued after Kiara was found.
Grace Hills, 32, arrived at the slipway with her one-year-old son, Parker, carrying a bunch of flowers, a pink heart helium balloon and a card.
Hills said she worked at a baby and toddler group that Kiara had attended, and the card was one her son had made while painting with her.
She said: “It is just a little gesture to let the family know that we are thinking of them. She is going to be missed. She was a lovely little smiley girl, always happy.”
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