Mark Ratcliffe, 67, died on January 2 after being pulled unconscious from the sea in Withernsea, East Yorkshire, while trying to help after a teen girl got ‘swept away’
Heartfelt tributes have been paid to a man who tragically lost his life while trying to save a teenage girl “swept away by a wave.” Mark Ratcliffe, 67 was pulled from the water unconscious and later died after attempting to help on January 2.
A 45-year-old mother also died. Despite continued search efforts for the girl on Saturday, they were eventually called off, reports Hull Live. In a heartfelt tribute, Mark’s family described him as: “A true selfless hero with a heart of gold, who was so cruelly taken trying to save others.”
They said: “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.”
A spokesperson for Humberside Police said: “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.”
Mr Ratcliffe was pulled unconscious from the sea following a massive search and rescue operation involving The Coastguard, RNLI, Humberside Police, Humberside Fire and Rescue, and Yorkshire Ambulance, which was launched just after 3pm on Friday.
They acted in response to reports of “a number of people in difficulty in the sea”.
It is believed that a girl was on the steps of the Pier Towers when she was swept into the sea by a large wave in freezing temperatures.
According to local cafe owner Paul Whitehead, whose CCTV captured the tragic incident, the others who entered the water were attempting to save her.
Eyewitness Karen Higgs, 66, said: “I was by the cafe and this woman was running up the front towards the pier towers, shouting ‘she’s in the water, she’s in the water.’
“I looked and I went across and there was somebody in the water… going in and out with the waves.
“Someone threw a safety ring in for her to catch. She was going out as the ring went in and it went and she never tried to catch it. We were all shouting at her to catch it, catch it. She just didn’t.”
A second person was later confirmed to have also died, with the girl still missing. Initial searches were stood down at 12.30am on Saturday and resumed at 6.30am in freezing, snowy conditions.
The town of Withernsea, described by distraught residents as ‘in mourning’, came together to help those involved in the tragedy and rescue by offering warm spaces and drinks, as well as emotional support.
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