Overview
- The alarm was raised at about 3:10pm Friday, triggering a large multi‑agency search off the East Yorkshire coast.
- Deployed assets include a Coastguard helicopter and fixed‑wing aircraft, Coastguard Rescue Teams from Withernsea, Hornsea and Hull, RNLI lifeboats from Withernsea and Bridlington, and support from Hornsea Inshore Rescue.
- Yorkshire Ambulance Service earlier reported four people believed missing, but the Coastguard later said searches are focused on two.
- Rough seas with three‑metre waves, freezing temperatures and a snow and ice warning complicated the operation and prevented some lifeboat launches.
- A large cordon was established on the promenade as police and fire services asked the public to avoid the area, with searches continuing into darkness using lights along the sea wall.