Police have said they are ‘doing everything they can’ to find a 15-year-old girl who was tragically swept away by the sea in Withernsea on Friday.
Search activity continued in the town on Tuesday following last week’s incident on the central promenade.
The bodies of Sarah Keeling, 45, of Sutton-in-Ashfield in Nottinghamshire, and Mark Ratcliffe, 67, of Withernsea – who died after entering the water in an attempt to help – were both recovered on Friday evening. Sarah’s 15-year-old daughter Grace was swept away and has not yet been found.
On Tuesday, January 6, police were again seen searching the rocks on the seafront near the Pier Towers. A police drone was also deployed during the day to assist with searches and evidence gathering from above.
Chief Inspector Tom Stevens said in a statement: “This is a truly tragic incident, and our thoughts remain with the families of Sarah Keeling and Mark Ratcliffe. Both families continue to be supported by specially trained officers and have requested their privacy at this devastating time.
“Our priority now is to find Grace, and we are doing everything we can to locate her. This includes extensive searches along the shoreline and drone searches from Withernsea to Easington directed by our specialist search teams. Our underwater search unit has also been in the area, and we have consulted with an oceanographer to ensure our searches are as efficient as possible.
“Throughout the week, members of the public should expect to see a continued police presence in the area, and we would ask people to avoid the location to allow emergency services to work efficiently and safely.
“Over the last five days we have been working to establish how the incident unfolded and understand the full circumstances of how Grace, Sarah and Mark came to be in the water.
“From trawling through CCTV and speaking to multiple witnesses who were in the area at the time, it is understood that Grace and her friend were on the steps near to the rocks when Grace is believed to have fallen into the water after being swept by a wave.
“Grace’s mum, Sarah, and three other members of the public who were nearby at the time, including Mark, immediately entered the water in an effort to save Grace.
“Alongside HM Coastguard, Yorkshire Ambulance Service and Humberside Fire and Rescue Services, we were immediately deployed to the area and during the initial searches, emergency services recovered Mark unconscious from the water.
“Despite the best efforts of medical professionals, Mark was pronounced deceased at the scene a short time later. Sarah’s body was then found by HM Coastguard the same evening.
“Two other men who also entered the water in an attempt to assist with the rescue managed to exit safely.
“I would like to offer my thanks to all members of the public and partners for their continued assistance in the search for Grace – your help has been invaluable.”
Residents and visitors have continued to pay their respects at the Pier Towers, where flowers, messages, cards and other mementos have been placed in memory of the victims.
Friends and family of Sarah and Grace have spoken of their shock and sorrow.
Nottingham Live said Sarah was a keen runner, and that members of a local running group said she was “loved by everyone” who knew her.
Her friend, Julie Winter, said: “Sarah was always full of life, with an infectious smile, always up for the next challenge.
“We had our own little group. We were always planning something nice. She had so many friends and was loved by everyone.”