Mother named as victim of Withernsea drowning, daughter still missing
A mother has died and her daughter remains missing after getting into trouble in the sea off the East Yorkshire coast.
Humberside Police have said the body of Sarah Keeling, 45, was pulled from the water in Withernsea on Friday evening, adding that searches are ongoing for her 15-year-old daughter, Grace.
The force previously said Mark Ratcliffe, a member of the public, also died trying to assist with the rescue.
The 67-year-old’s family remembered him as a “true selfless hero with a heart of gold” as they paid tribute on Sunday afternoon.
“So many lives are now shattered that you’re gone,” they continued. “You were loved by so many people, and we will all miss you forever.”
Both families continue to be supported by specially trained officers.
Officials were first alerted that three people had got into trouble in the water off the East Yorkshire coast shortly after 3pm on Friday.
Searches have been carried out in ‘extremely difficult’ conditions. Pic: HM Coastguard
A rescue operation involving the local coastguard and RNLI rescue teams, Yorkshire Ambulance Service, an air ambulance, Humberside Police and Humberside Fire and Rescue was launched.
The RNLI said the conditions during the search had been “extremely difficult, with 3m waves, strong winds and very cold air temperatures”.
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Temperatures in the seaside town fell to below freezing over the weekend, with the Met Office predicting a peak of 2C on Saturday, although forecasters said it would feel like -4C.
The bodies of Ms Keeling and Mr Ratcliffe were recovered on Friday evening.
