by Sam Hawcroft
A coroner has paid tribute to the bravery, love and compassion shown during and after the Withernsea sea tragedy, saying the way Mark Ratcliffe, Sarah Keeling and Grace Keeling lived should be remembered above the circumstances of their deaths.
Closing the inquests into the deaths of Mr Ratcliffe, 67, Sarah, 45, and Grace, 15, at Hull Coroner’s Court on Thursday, May 28, senior coroner Lorraine Harris commended the members of the public and emergency services who tried to help at the Pier Towers on January 2, as well as the teams who worked in difficult conditions in the days that followed.
Miss Harris said Mr Ratcliffe, who was from Withernsea and was walking on the seafront with his wife and grandson, had died “committing an act of selfless bravery” when he entered the North Sea in an attempt to save Sarah and Grace.
The court heard he was a strong swimmer and a much-loved husband, father and grandfather who was always willing to help others.
Miss Harris said: “I find that he placed trying to save the lives of Mrs Keeling and her daughter Grace over his own safety.
“It was an act of bravery. Despite being a very capable swimmer, Mr Ratcliffe got into difficulty himself.
“He died committing a heroic act.”
The coroner reached a narrative conclusion that Mr Ratcliffe died in pursuit of trying to save others.
The inquest heard Sarah and Grace, of Sutton-in-Ashfield in Nottinghamshire, had travelled to Withernsea for a day out with Grace’s friend and the family dog.
Sarah, who was described by her husband Jonathan as bubbly, caring and full of life, had a close bond with Grace, her only child.
Grace, a year 11 pupil, was described as bright, lively and popular, with a love of dancing, cycling, making videos and spending time with friends. She had achieved A-stars in her mock exams and hoped to work in events.
Recording her findings, Miss Harris said Grace and her friend had been “doing what all teenage girls do, having fun and taking photos” near the water’s edge, without appreciating the danger.
The coroner said what happened next was so quick that Grace would not have had time to help herself.
She said Grace died on January 2 after being swept into the North Sea, although she was not found until January 15 and was recovered on January 17.
Miss Harris concluded that she had died as a result of misadventure.
The coroner said misadventure applied when someone did something that had unforeseen consequences.
She said: “She was just taking those photographs, just trying to enjoy herself. There were unforeseen consequences when the wave took her into the water.”
Miss Harris said Sarah had been “doing what she appeared to love the most – spending time with her daughter” when the day out turned into a tragedy.
She said Sarah entered the water after Grace was swept in, “with no thought for her own well-being”.
Miss Harris said this was “the act of a parent trying to do anything to help her daughter”.
She recorded a narrative conclusion that Sarah died in pursuit of trying to save her daughter.
Before closing the inquests, Miss Harris paid tribute to all those who tried to help that day and in the days that followed.
She commended members of the public for their bravery, as well as police, Humberside Fire and Rescue Service, Yorkshire Ambulance Service, the RNLI, the coastguard, oceanographers, construction workers and everyone involved in the response.
She praised their “bravery, skill and tireless dedication” in locating Mark, Sarah and Grace, and in the difficult recovery operation.
Miss Harris said: “Throughout the whole of this inquiry, I have not met one person who wasn’t affected by this tragedy, and all of whom mentioned the depth of their compassion for both families.”
Her final words were for the families.
Speaking to Mr Ratcliffe’s relatives, she said: “What an amazing man he was. He put trying to help others over his own safety.
“It is evident how loved he was, and I am so very sorry for your loss.”
Turning to Sarah and Grace’s family, she said both had seemed “so vivacious”, adding: “It just seems so cruel to lose them both in such circumstances.”
Miss Harris said she always told families and friends that “how someone dies should stay here with me in this court”.
She added: “This is where it belongs. How people live their lives is what is important.
“I hope in time that whenever the friends or family of Mark, Sarah or Grace are able to bring them to mind, they bring to mind the love, laughter and fun that they brought to the lives of those around them, the lovely memories they have and the very special people they were.”