Police searching for a missing teenager have discovered a body on the East Yorkshire coast, two weeks after she was swept into the sea.
The tragedy unfolded on January 2, when Grace Keeling, 15, was standing on steps near the water before being swept out to sea in bad weather.
Her mother Sarah, 45, immediately dived in to try and save her daughter, while Mark Ratcliffe, a 67-year-old passer-by, also bravely jumped in to help pull both women to safety.
Tragically, neither rescue attempt succeeded, with both Sarah and Mark losing their lives in the incident.
Two other men also entered the water to assist but managed to escape without injury.
The bodies of Mrs Keeling and Mr Ratcliffe were recovered at around 3pm that same day, but Grace remained missing, sparking a massive multi-agency search involving the coastguard, RNLI, Humberside Fire and Rescue Service and Yorkshire Ambulance Service.
Two weeks later, Humberside Police search advisors said they made the discovery of a body at around 8.30am on Thursday morning, but challenging tide conditions have made retrieval extremely difficult.
Emergency services and HM Coastguard are working in the Holmpton Road area, attempting to carefully remove the body from rocks where it was found.
45-year-old Sarah Keeling and daughter 15-year-old Grace Keeling were both tragically killed in the ordeal
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HUMBERSIDE POLICEMark Ratcliffe also died after jumping in to try and save the girl
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HUMBERSIDE POLICEDetective Superintendent Simon Vickers confirmed that recovery efforts had to be paused on Friday until conditions improve, with the location secured overnight using specialist equipment.
A cordon remains around the area, and police have asked the public to stay away while teams work to complete the recovery safely.
Inquests into the deaths of Mrs Keeling and Mr Ratcliffe were opened at Hull Coroners’ Court on January 12, with no family members present.
East Yorkshire area coroner Lorraine Harris confirmed that Mrs Keeling, who was born in Germany but lived in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, died from drowning, with head and neck injuries listed as contributing factors.
The incident occurred at Withernsea Beach, when strong waves and winds were battering parts of the UK
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GETTYMr Ratcliffe, a retired warehouse manager, also died from drowning, with chest injuries playing a contributory role.
Both hearings were adjourned to dates yet to be fixed.
Mr Ratcliffe’s family paid tribute to him as “a true selfless hero with a heart of gold, who was so cruelly taken trying to save others.”
They described him as “a loving husband, father, son, brother and the best grandad anybody could ever wish for.”
Tim Paling, headteacher at Grace’s school Quarrydale Academy, wrote to parents expressing the profound impact of the loss on the school community.
He described Grace as “a wonderful young person and a greatly valued member of the academy.”
The headteacher said she had grown in confidence during her time at the school and was known for “her kindness, warmth and positivity.”
“Grace consistently brought joy into the classroom, approached her learning with enthusiasm, and showed genuine care for others,” he wrote, adding that she was “polite, thoughtful, and deeply appreciative of the support given to her.”
Mr Paling confirmed he had spoken directly with Grace’s father to offer condolences.
Meanwhile, the tight-knit Withernsea community has rallied together, leaving flowers and teddy bears at Pier Towers near the scene as tributes to those affected by the tragedy.