BREAKING: A devastating tragedy unfolded in Withernsea on January 2, 2023, as authorities confirm the identities of two victims swept out to sea by towering waves. Sarah Keeling, 45, and her daughter Grace Keeling, 15, were caught in a perilous situation when waves exceeding 12 feet crashed onto the promenade.
Rescue operations commenced around 3 PM after witnesses reported the mother and daughter being taken by the sea. In a heart-wrenching statement, Humberside Police revealed that the two were not alone in this tragic event; Mark Ratcliffe, a 67-year-old man, lost his life while attempting to rescue them.
Authorities recovered the bodies of Sarah and Mark on Friday evening, while the search for Grace continues. Eyewitness accounts describe an alarming sequence of events where Grace was swept away after venturing down concrete steps to observe the waves, moments after enjoying the view with her mother.
Witnesses indicated that Sarah, who was holding their dog, had stepped away briefly when the incident occurred. According to reports, she rushed back upon hearing her daughter’s cries, only to find Grace had been carried nearly 100 yards down the beach by a rogue wave.
Despite the heroic efforts of rescuers, including a lifeboat crew that braved treacherous three-meter waves, they were unable to reach Grace before she was swept further into the sea. “The mother’s actions were instinctive,” said local cafe owner Paul Whitehead, who provided police with CCTV footage. “It was just for 30 seconds. That’s all it took.”
Mark Ratcliffe’s family described him as a selfless hero. His body was discovered by rescuers around 10 PM the same evening. He was reportedly trying to assist Sarah and Grace when the situation became dire.
The incident has left the community in shock, grappling with the loss of three lives in what many are calling an avoidable tragedy. As search efforts for Grace continue, local residents are urged to stay away from dangerous coastal areas.
Officials are calling for heightened awareness as severe weather conditions persist, and the community mourns the loss of the Keeling family and Mark Ratcliffe.
This heartbreaking event serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the sea and the risks involved in coastal activities. As the search for Grace continues, the impact of this tragedy resonates deeply within the community, urging everyone to prioritize safety in the face of nature’s unpredictability.
Stay tuned for updated information as rescue efforts develop.
