A “selfless hero” who died while trying to save two people stuck in the sea has been named by police.
Mark Ratcliffe, aged 67, was pulled from the sea unconscious by emergency services on Friday, January 2, after officers were called to Central Promenade in Withernsea, Yorkshire, at 3.15pm.
The grandfather died at the scene.
In a tribute issued by Humberside Police, his family said: “A true selfless hero with a heart of gold, who was so cruelly taken trying to save others.
Mark Ratcliffe was pulled from the sea unconscious by emergency services
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HUMBERSIDE POLICE
“So many lives are now shattered that you’re gone. You were loved by so many people, and we will all miss you forever.
“A loving husband, father, son, brother and the best grandad anybody could ever wish for.
“Sleep tight, we love you, we miss you.”
The body of a 45-year-old woman was also recovered from the sea on Friday.
“Residents will continue to see an increased police presence in and around the area as officers continue to search for the one remaining missing person,” Humberside Police said.
HM Coastguard said it was standing down its search on Saturday afternoon.
“After resuming shoreline searches in Withernsea for one missing person today, January 3, HM Coastguard stood down its extensive search effort this afternoon,” a spokesman for HM Coastguard said in a statement yesterday.
Witnesses claim the incident occurred when people attempted to help a teenage girl who had been “washed away” in the sea.
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