> At a Glance
> – A 67-year-old man, a 45-year-old woman and her 15-year-old daughter died after being swept into the North Sea off Withernsea
> – The teen is still missing; two bodies were recovered on Friday evening
> – Why it matters: A quiet seaside town is mourning three generations lost in one freak wave
A family day at the beach turned fatal on Friday when a large wave dragged three people into freezing waters off Withernsea, leaving rescuers searching through snow and rough seas.
The Victims
Sarah Keeling, 45, and her daughter Grace Keeling, 15, were caught by the wave alongside Mark Ratcliffe, 67, who tried to help. Police confirmed Ratcliffe died “trying to assist with the rescue.”
His family paid tribute:
> “A true selfless hero with a heart of gold, who was so cruelly taken trying to save others.”
Sarah and Ratcliffe were found that evening; Grace remains missing and the search has now been stood down.
Timeline of the Tragedy
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| ~3:10 p.m. Friday | Emergency crews respond to “people in difficulty” off Central Promenade |
| Friday evening | Bodies of Sarah and Ratcliffe recovered |
| ~12:30 a.m. Saturday | Search suspended overnight |
| 4 p.m. Saturday | Coastguard ends “extensive search effort” |
Eyewitnesses told GB News a single large wave knocked Grace off her feet and sucked her farther out, prompting the others to enter the water.
Aftermath
Both families are being supported by specially-trained officers. Swimmers had been warned to stay out of the water the previous day because of dangerous wave heights.
Key Takeaways
- Three generations lost in minutes on a snowy beach
- Final victim still missing after multi-agency search
- Families praise granddad who died attempting rescue
Withernsea’s promenade, usually busy with weekend walkers, is now a scene of floral tributes as the town grapples with the triple loss.
