Aunt's Desperate River Rescue Attempt After Toddler Falls into Flooded Soar
An emotional inquest at Leicester Coroner's Court has heard harrowing details of the moment a toddler fell into the flooded River Soar, prompting his aunt to jump into the fast-flowing water in a desperate rescue attempt. The tragic incident occurred during what should have been a pleasant family walk through a Leicester nature reserve.
The Fateful Walk That Ended in Tragedy
Two-year-old Xielo Maruziva was walking with his aunts along Packhorse Bridge in the Aylestone Meadows nature reserve, close to Marsden Lane in Leicester, when the unthinkable happened. The toddler, who had only started nursery weeks before, was a few steps ahead of his relatives when he suddenly disappeared from view and fell into the swollen river.
The incident occurred at approximately 5pm on February 18, 2024, during a period when the River Soar was experiencing high water levels due to recent heavy rainfall. Senior coroner Professor Catherine Mason told the jury that the river was "very high" and flowing rapidly at the time of the tragedy.
Aunt's Immediate Response to the Crisis
Nicole Maruziva, one of Xielo's aunts who had taken him out that day, tearfully described the moment she realised what had happened. "I saw Xielo on the side and he took what looked like a step but once he took that step he wasn't there anymore," she told the inquest. "I ran to the point in which he turned and I looked down and that's when I saw that it opened up into water."
Without hesitation, Ms Maruziva jumped into the water despite not knowing how to swim. "I was just using my arms to try to find him," she explained. "As soon as I got in, the water was up to my chest so it was deep water and I was trying to find him with my arms but I could not feel anything in the water."
The desperate aunt began shouting for help, crying out "there's a baby in the water" as she struggled against the current that quickly swept her under. She described trying to grab "his arm or his leg or something" in her frantic search.
Bridge Design and Safety Concerns
The jury heard concerning details about the bridge's design and surrounding area. Packhorse Bridge features waist-height walls on both sides, but the court was told it is not clear to pedestrians where the bridge ends. The area is a designated flood plain, yet according to evidence presented, there was no signage warning walkers that the water level might be high.
Memory Maruziva, Xielo's great aunt who was visiting family in Leicester at the time, said the toddler had been walking "perfectly fine" during their outing. The family had been carrying him for parts of the journey and would pick him up to ensure his safety when cyclists or dog walkers approached. She emphasised that Xielo was always in their eyesight, being just "a few steps ahead of us but not very far."
Family's Devastating Loss
The court heard heartbreaking statements from Xielo's parents about their profound loss. His father, Bradley Maruziva, who also jumped into the water in an attempt to save his son and suffered hypothermia as a result, wrote: "In the time I was with him I was already so proud of him and proud to be his dad. Our energy matched and he made me like a big kid again."
Xielo's mother, Kayela Smith, described her son as becoming more "independent, curious and adventurous" before his death. "The day he was born was the best day of my life," she said in her statement. "He had the biggest personality for such a small little boy. He was my best friend, my soul twin and my whole world."
Investigation Findings and Ongoing Inquest
Despite immediate search efforts following the incident, Xielo's body was not discovered until almost four months later on June 6, 2024. Forensic pathologist Dr Frances Hollingbury told the jury that her opinion is that Xielo died as a result of the effects of being immersed in water.
Detective Inspector Kevin Hames of Leicestershire Police informed the inquest that CCTV footage of the area showed Xielo in his aunts' arms before he appeared to "run off." The court also heard that the family had taken pictures with Xielo on a bridge shortly before the tragic incident occurred.
The inquest, which is expected to last five days, continues as the coroner and jury examine all circumstances surrounding this devastating family tragedy that has highlighted important questions about safety in flood-prone recreational areas.
