Floral tributes have been laid at Hornsea seafront after a body was recovered during the search for a 13-year-old boy who got into difficulty while swimming in the sea.
Emergency services were called to South Promenade shortly after 6pm on Tuesday, August 4, amid concerns for the safety of the teenager.
An extensive multi-agency search continued throughout the evening and into the early hours of Wednesday before a body was recovered from the water at about 4.30am.
Formal identification has not yet taken place, but Humberside Police said the body was believed to be that of the missing boy.
His family have been informed and are being supported by officers.
Chief Superintendent Phil Booker said: “This is an incredibly heartbreaking outcome and our thoughts are with the boy’s family and friends at this devastating time.
“Emergency services were called to the South Promenade in Hornsea shortly after 6pm yesterday following a report of a concern for safety involving a 13-year-old boy who had got into difficulty while swimming in the water.
“An extensive search operation was launched involving specialist Humberside search officers, including our Marine Unit and drone pilots, alongside HM Coastguard, Yorkshire Ambulance Service and Humberside Fire and Rescue Service.
“Tragically, at around 4.30am this morning, Wednesday, August 5, a body was recovered from the water.
“His death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will now be prepared for the coroner.
“We know the sadness and concern this will cause in the community and we would ask that the family’s privacy is respected during this incredibly difficult time.
“I would like to thank all of the emergency services involved in the search, along with members of the public for their support and co-operation.”
The search involved Humberside Police officers, the force’s Marine Unit and drone pilots, HM Coastguard, Yorkshire Ambulance Service, Humberside Fire and Rescue Service and Hornsea Inshore Rescue.
Hornsea Inshore Rescue said it had been tasked by Humber Coastguard to assist in the multi-agency operation.
Its lifeboat, Spirit of Hornsea, was launched and began conducting search patterns as instructed.
After about three hours, the boat was recovered for refuelling and a crew change before relaunching within minutes.
The charity said: “We continued searching into the early hours of the morning, working alongside RNLI Bridlington Lifeboats, Humberside Police and Humber Coastguard, as well as Rescue 912 Coastguard helicopter and a fixed-wing plane.
“Due to the loss of daylight and visibility, the search was stood down in the early hours of the morning. A total of approximately seven hours had been spent searching on the water. The boat was washed down and refuelled and made ready for service.
“Our crew returned to the station at 4.30am on August 5 with the intention of launching back on service to help once again with search efforts. However, on contacting the Coastguard, we were advised that we were not required as, sadly, the missing person had been located 10 minutes earlier.
“Everyone at Hornsea Inshore Rescue would like to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends and all concerned with this tragic incident. Everyone very much remains in all of our thoughts at this sad and difficult time.
“We would also like to say thank you to Hornsea Tesco, which kindly sent down donations of food and water for everyone involved in the search.
Hornsea-based East Riding ward councillor Barbara Jefferson said: “There are no words for this tragic news received today that would help the family and friends of the young man who lost his life.
“I would, however, like them to know that we as a town are devastated and they are in our thoughts and prayers.
“Thank you so much to all the emergency services who tried their very best and everyone else who was involved.”
Hornsea mayor Stephen Prescott and deputy mayor Nick Cox said the news had been received with “great sadness”.
In a joint statement, they said: “Our heartfelt condolences go to the family, friends and loved ones of the teenage boy at this incredibly difficult and heartbreaking time.
“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this devastating loss.
“We would also like to express our sincere thanks to all the emergency services involved, including Hornsea Inshore Rescue, HM Coastguard, Humberside Police, Yorkshire Ambulance Service and all the other people involved, for their tireless efforts and professionalism throughout the response.”
Hornsea Carnival also offered its deepest condolences to the teenager’s family and friends.
A statement said: “At the heart of Hornsea Carnival has always been family, community and looking after one another.
“News such as this is truly heartbreaking and our thoughts are with everyone affected during this incredibly difficult time.
“We would also like to express our heartfelt gratitude and respect to all of the emergency services and those who responded.
“They did everything they possibly could in the most difficult of circumstances and we thank them for their dedication, professionalism and compassion.
“Life can change in an instant. Please hold your loved ones close, cherish every moment and never take the time you have together for granted.
“From everyone at Hornsea Carnival, our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and all those affected.”
Charlie Dewhirst, MP for Bridlington and the Wolds, said: “I am deeply saddened by the heartbreaking news that a body has been found following the search for the missing young boy off the coast of Hornsea. My thoughts and prayers are with the child’s family and friends.
“I would like to pay tribute to the local RNLI, Hornsea Inshore Rescue, Coastguard and other emergency services, volunteers, and members of our local community who worked tirelessly in the rescue effort. Their dedication and compassion during this difficult time has been truly remarkable.
“I respectfully ask that everyone allows the family privacy and I urge people to avoid speculation in order to allow the relevant authorities to continue their investigation.”
MP for Beverley and Holderness Graham Stuart said: “This is desperately sad news. My thoughts are with the family of the 13-year-old boy and everyone who knew and loved him.
“I want to thank HM Coastguard, the RNLI, Hornsea Inshore Rescue, Humberside Police, Yorkshire Ambulance Service, Humberside Fire and Rescue Service, and everyone else who worked so hard in the search. They gave everything in the hope of bringing this operation to a different conclusion.
“Above all, I hope the family are given the privacy they need as they come to terms with this devastating loss.”
Kath Robson Jervois, station manager from NCI Hornsea, said: “NCI watch keepers stayed on duty last night to assist if they could the search for the missing boy. The families are deeply in our thoughts.”
Withernsea mayor Cllr Kristina Richardson also expressed the support and solidarity of her community following the tragedy.
Cllr Richardson said: “At this incredibly difficult time, my thoughts and prayers are with the young boy’s family and friends.
“Having experienced our own tragedy in Withernsea earlier this year, our community understands only too well the heartache and uncertainty that moments like these bring and we stand alongside the people of Hornsea in support and solidarity.
“Once again, our outstanding emergency services and volunteer responders have worked tirelessly, demonstrating immense professionalism, courage and compassion in the most challenging of circumstances. They have the heartfelt thanks and gratitude of us all.
“The conversations that Mayor Stephen Prescott and I have been having about strengthening co-operation between our communities carry even greater significance in light of recent events.
“Together, we remain committed to sharing learning and working collaboratively for the benefit of all those who live in, work in and visit our coastline.”