Mother, 45, and 15-year-old daughter who died after being swept out to sea are named and pictured alongside ‘hero’ who tried to save lots of them
A mother and her 15-year-old daughter who drowned after being swept out to sea have been named and pictured.
The bodies of two adults were pulled from the freezing water at Withernsea, Yorkshire, after the tragedy on Friday, while searches for the girl continued yesterday but were called off.
Two of the three individuals have been named as Sarah Keeling, 45, and 15-year-old Grace Keeling, who it has now been revealed were mother and daughter.
Mark Ratcliffe, 67, a member of the public who tried to assist with the rescue, also died.
His family described him as a ‘true selfless hero’ after he lost his life trying to stop the mother and daughter being swept out to sea.
He had braved 12ft waves in Withernsea after seeing the teenager cry out for help in the water.
He joined Ms Keeling, her mother who had waded into the sea, trying to reach the girl.
He was recovered from the water unconscious shortly before 10pm and died soon after, Humberside Police said.
Mother and daughter Sarah Keeling, 45, and 15-year-old Grace Keeling, died after being swept out to sea
Mark Ratcliffe, 67, a member of the public who tried to assist with the rescue, also died
Emergency services were called to Withernsea following a ‘number of people in difficulty in the water’ on Friday afternoon
The area had been cordoned off while emergency services launched their search operation
The two adults came within inches of saving the teen, it is understood.
In a heartbreaking tribute to Mr Ratcliffe, his family said: ‘A true selfless hero with a heart of gold, who was so cruelly taken trying to save others.
‘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.’
Cafe owner Paul Whitehead, 60, told how his staff had tried to help by throwing a life ring to the girl.
Mr Whitehead said: ‘This was a tragic accident. The girl was enjoying the spectacle of the waves, but the sea was so rough she got swept away by the force of the water.
‘One of my staff tried to help her with a life ring. The girl grabbed the ring, but the sea was so rough she couldn’t hold on.’
The tragedy came hours after a 51–year–old from Kettering died after getting into difficulty in the sea at Brighton on New Year’s Day.
