A mother has been confirmed dead and her teenage daughter remains missing following a devastating sea incident off the East Yorkshire coast, prompting an extensive emergency response and leaving a coastal community in shock. Humberside Police have formally identified the victims as 45-year-old Sarah Keeling and her 15-year-old daughter, Grace Keeling, after officers were called to reports of people in difficulty in the water at Withernsea on Friday afternoon.
Despite rescue efforts involving emergency services and local responders, Sarah Keeling was later pronounced dead after her body was recovered from the sea, while Grace remains unaccounted for as searches continue. The incident unfolded at Central Promenade in Withernsea shortly after 3.15pm on Friday, 2 January 2026. Conditions at the time were described by witnesses and rescue teams as extremely dangerous, with powerful waves and rough seas battering the shoreline.
In the aftermath, tributes have poured in for both Sarah Keeling and Mark Ratcliffe, a 67-year-old member of the public who lost his life attempting to help in the rescue. Authorities have described the situation as tragic, stressing that specialist officers are supporting the Keeling family as efforts to locate Grace continue.
Incident at Withernsea as Emergency Services Respond to Dangerous Sea Conditions
According to Humberside Police, officers were alerted to concerns for safety after reports that multiple people had entered the water and were struggling amid severe sea conditions. Sarah Keeling and her daughter Grace were among those caught in the waves, with the force later confirming their involvement in the incident once permission had been granted by the family. Mark Ratcliffe, who was also named by police, was identified as a bystander who entered the sea in an attempt to assist, losing his life in the process.
Eyewitness accounts provide a harrowing picture of the moments that followed. Members of the public gathered along the promenade described seeing a teenage girl being overwhelmed by the waves and swept further out to sea. Karen Higgs, 66, told The Telegraph that she was near a café when she saw a woman running along the seafront shouting that someone was in the water. She described seeing a figure being carried in and out by the waves while onlookers desperately tried to help from the shore.
According to her account, a safety ring was thrown into the water in an effort to reach the girl. However, the strength of the waves meant that the ring drifted away as quickly as it was deployed. Witnesses shouted for the girl to grab it, but she was unable to do so before being pulled further out. The scene, described by those present as chaotic and distressing, unfolded rapidly, leaving little opportunity for effective intervention before emergency services arrived.
Read : Virginia State Police Issue CODI Alert for Missing 12-Year-Old Sierra Dawn Felts
Local rescue teams were also affected by the conditions. Hornsea Inshore Rescue confirmed in a statement on social media that they had been called to assist at Withernsea but were initially unable to launch their lifeboat due to what they described as horrendous sea conditions and waves reaching up to three metres. A subsequent update confirmed that the team later launched on service once conditions allowed, underscoring the challenges faced by rescuers attempting to operate in such a volatile environment.
Read : The Room Behind Buckingham Palace’s Famous Balcony Opens to the Public for the First Time
Despite these efforts, the sea claimed two lives. The bodies of Sarah Keeling and Mark Ratcliffe were recovered on Friday evening, while searches for Grace Keeling continued into the weekend and beyond. Police have maintained a visible presence in and around Withernsea as search operations remain ongoing, coordinating with specialist units in the hope of locating the missing teenager.
Deaths of Sarah Keeling and Mark Ratcliffe Confirmed as Search for Grace Continues
Humberside Police confirmed on Sunday that Sarah Keeling, aged 45, had died following the incident, alongside 67-year-old Mark Ratcliffe. In a statement, the force said: “Following reports of concerns for safety for people in the water in Withernsea, with the permission of the family, Humberside Police can now confirm that a mother and daughter, 45-year-old Sarah Keeling and 15-year-old Grace Keeling, were involved in this tragic incident, alongside 67-year-old Mark Ratcliffe, a member of the public who died trying to assist with the rescue.”
The recovery of the two bodies brought devastating confirmation to families and the wider community, while the continued absence of Grace Keeling has prolonged the anguish surrounding the incident. Police have reiterated that searches remain active, with officers and specialist teams continuing to work in challenging conditions along the coastline and surrounding waters.
Authorities have emphasized that the Keeling family is receiving support from specially trained officers during this period. Such support typically includes family liaison officers who act as a consistent point of contact, providing updates on the investigation and search efforts while also offering emotional and practical assistance. The police presence in Withernsea has been deliberately increased, both to facilitate the ongoing operation and to reassure residents affected by the events.
The circumstances surrounding how Sarah and Grace entered the water have not been fully detailed by police, who have focused instead on the immediate response and recovery efforts. What is clear, however, is that the incident occurred during a period of severe sea conditions, a factor repeatedly highlighted by witnesses and rescue organizations alike. The North Sea coastline is known for its unpredictability, particularly during winter months, when strong winds and rough waters can quickly turn dangerous.
The loss of Mark Ratcliffe has added a further layer of tragedy to the incident. Police and members of the public have acknowledged his actions as an attempt to help others in distress. His involvement underscores the risks faced not only by those caught in the water but also by individuals who attempt rescues without specialized equipment or training, particularly in extreme conditions.
Community Tributes and Ongoing Impact of the Tragedy
Tributes have been paid to both Sarah Keeling and Mark Ratcliffe as details of the incident emerged. Ratcliffe’s family released a statement on Sunday describing him as a “true selfless hero with a heart of gold, who was so cruelly taken trying to save others.” The tribute reflected the sentiments expressed by many in the community, who have spoken of shock and sorrow at the loss of life and the circumstances in which it occurred.
Read : Father Charged After Missing 4-Year-Old Johnathan Everett Boley Found Dead 2 Miles from Home
While no public tribute from the Keeling family has been issued beyond the police statement, the scale of the response and the sensitivity shown by authorities highlight the profound impact of the incident. Withernsea, a coastal town accustomed to visitors and seasonal fluctuations, has found itself at the center of national attention due to the tragedy. Residents have reported seeing emergency vehicles, officers, and search teams operating along the promenade and shoreline for several days following the incident.
Local charities and rescue organizations have also been drawn into the aftermath. Hornsea Inshore Rescue’s updates drew attention to the difficulties faced by volunteer lifeboat crews, particularly when weather and sea conditions limit their ability to launch safely. Such statements serve as a stark reminder of the limitations imposed by nature, even on experienced rescue teams equipped to deal with emergencies at sea.
The search for Grace Keeling remains ongoing, with police confirming that operations will continue as long as necessary. In cases involving missing persons at sea, searches often involve coordinated efforts between police, coastguard services, and volunteer rescue organizations, using a combination of shoreline patrols, marine vessels, and aerial support where conditions permit. Each passing day adds to the emotional toll on families and responders alike, as hopes of finding the missing person must contend with the realities of the environment.
Witness accounts continue to circulate, painting a vivid picture of the moment the incident unfolded and the helplessness felt by those onshore. Such testimonies, while difficult to hear, form part of the broader understanding of how quickly situations can escalate along exposed coastlines. The power of the waves described by witnesses aligns with reports from rescue teams, reinforcing the assessment that conditions on Friday afternoon were exceptionally hazardous.
As Withernsea adjusts to the presence of ongoing search efforts and the memory of lives lost, the focus remains firmly on locating Grace Keeling. Police have stated that residents will continue to see increased activity in the area as officers and specialist teams persist in their work. The incident has left an indelible mark on the town, uniting residents in shared grief and concern as the search continues along the East Yorkshire coast.