An inquest has opened into the deaths of two people who lost their lives after entering the sea during a rescue attempt at Withernsea.
Sarah Keeling, 45, and Mark Ratcliffe, 67, died after going into the water on Friday, January 2, in a bid to save Mrs Keeling’s 15-year-old daughter, Grace, who had been swept into the sea at the Pier Towers. Searches for Grace are continuing.
Mr Ratcliffe was pulled from the sea unconscious during the initial search and was pronounced dead at the scene. Mrs Keeling’s body was recovered later the same evening.
Inquests into both deaths were opened and adjourned at Hull Coroners’ Court.
East Yorkshire area coroner Lorraine Harris said a preliminary post-mortem examination found Mrs Keeling’s primary cause of death was drowning, with head and neck injuries listed as contributing factors.
The hearing was told Mrs Keeling was married and lived in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire. She worked in sales.
Mr Ratcliffe, who lived in Withernsea and was originally from Bradford, was a retired warehouse worker. His cause of death was recorded as drowning, with chest injuries given as a contributing factor.
Both inquests were adjourned to a later date.