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Withernsea Sea Tragedy: Search Ongoing for 15-Year-Old as Two Victims Are Named

Eyewitnesses reported 20-foot waves during a large multi-agency rescue.

Overview

  • Police identified the deceased as Sarah Keeling, 45, and Mark Ratcliffe, 67, and said the search continues for Sarah’s daughter, Grace, 15.
  • The trio got into difficulty off Withernsea on Friday afternoon, prompting a response of roughly 100 personnel, RNLI lifeboats, coastguard teams, helicopters and an air ambulance.
  • Searches were suspended overnight, resumed at first light, and Humberside Police say the deaths are not being treated as suspicious.
  • Witness Richard Shaw said he threw a lifebelt and was knocked back by multiple waves, describing tides overtopping sea walls and swells around 20 feet.
  • Graham Stuart MP praised emergency services and the Withernsea community, with venues such as the Meridian Centre and Castle Café supporting crews and families.