Girl, 15, and her mum, 45, named and pictured for first time after Withernsea tragedy
Two people died and a third is missing after the incident in the seaside town of Withernsea on Friday afternoon.
The scene at Withernsea as search for missing person is called off
Two of the people involved in the tragedy that unfolded in Withernsea on Friday were mother and daughter, police have revealed. Humberside Police has named a teenage girl who is still missing after being reportedly "washed away" on January 2 as Grace Keeling, 15.
Her mother, Sarah Keeling, 45, died in the same tragic incident, police said. A spokesperson for Humberside Police said: “Following reports of concerns for safety for people in the water in Withernsea, with the permission of the family, Humberside Police can now confirm that a mother and daughter, 45-year-old Sarah Keeling and 15-year-old Grace Keeling, were involved in this tragic incident, alongside 67-year-old Mark Ratcliffe, a member of the public who died trying to assist with the rescue.
"The bodies of Sarah Keeling and Mark Ratcliffe were recovered on the evening of Friday, 2 January 2026. Searches are still ongoing to locate Grace. Both families continue to be supported by specially trained officers."
It is understood Grace was knocked into the sea by what a local businessman descibed as a big wave in plunging temperatures, and her mother and Mr Ratcliffe went in to save her.
This comes after tributes started to pour today, January 4, for 67-year-old Mr Ratcliffe, hailed a "true selfless hero" after he died trying to help rescue people in the sea, HullLive reports.
Mr Ratcliffe's family said he was "so cruelly taken trying to save others”. They added: “So many lives are now shattered that you’re gone. You were loved by so many people, and we will all miss you forever.
“A loving husband, father, son, brother and the best grandad anybody could ever wish for. Sleep tight, we love you, we miss you.”
Mr Ratcliffe was pulled unconscious from the sea by rescuers after a major search and rescue operation had been launched. Despite the best efforts of emergency services, his life could not be saved.
The operation launched on Friday afternoon included the Coastguard, RNLI, police, Yorkshire Ambulance and Humberside Fire and Rescue.
Humberside Police said they were called to Central Promenade in Withernsea at 3.15pm on Friday following reports of concern for safety for people in the water off the East Yorkshire coast.
