Mother, 45, and 15-year-old daughter who were swept out to sea are named and pictured alongside ‘hero’ who also died trying to save them
A mother and her young daughter who were dragged into the sea were named and photographed.
The bodies of two adults were pulled from freezing water in Withernsea, Yorkshire, following Friday’s tragedy. The search for the girl continued yesterday but was cancelled.
Two of the three people were identified as 45-year-old Sarah Keeling and 15-year-old Grace Keeling. It turned out that these people were mother and daughter.
Mark Ratcliffe, 67, a member of the public who tried to help with the rescue, also died.
His family, who lost his life trying to prevent his mother and daughter from being swept out to sea, described him as a ‘true selfless hero’.
Mr Ratcliffe braved 12ft waves at Withernsea after seeing the teenager screaming for help in the water.
She joined her mother, Mrs Keeling, as she waded into the sea to reach her daughter.
Humberside Police said the man was pulled from the water unconscious shortly before 10pm and died a short time later.
Mother and daughters Sarah Keeling, 45, and Grace Keeling, 15, died after being swept out to sea.
67-year-old Mark Ratcliffe, who tried to help rescue efforts, also died
Emergency services were called to Withernsea after ‘a number of people became distressed in the water’ on Friday afternoon
The area was cordoned off as emergency services launched a search operation
It appears the two adults came within inches of rescuing the teenager.
His family paid a heartbreaking tribute to Mr Ratcliffe, saying: ‘A true selfless hero with a heart of gold who was so cruelly deceived while trying to save others.
‘So many lives have been shattered because you left. You were loved by so many people and we will all miss you forever.
‘A loving husband, father, son, brother and the best grandfather anyone could ask for. Sleep well, we love you, we miss you.’
Café owner Paul Whitehead, 60, told how his staff tried to help the girl by throwing her a life preserver.
Mr Whitehead said: ‘This was a tragic accident. The girl was enjoying the waves, but the sea was so rough that she was swept away by the force of the water.
‘One of my employees tried to help him with a life preserver. The girl grabbed the ring, but the sea was so rough she couldn’t stand it.’
The tragedy came just hours after a 51-year-old from Kettering died after getting into trouble at sea in Brighton on New Year’s Day.
