Withernsea search major update after girl ‘washed away’ | UK | News
The search for a third man was called off on Saturday afternoon following the incident off the East Yorkshire coast. Two people have died and a third is missing after trying to help a teenage girl who was swept out to sea off the East Yorkshire coast on Friday, according to previous reports.
HM Coastguard said a search operation around Withernsea, where the incident occurred, was called off at around 4pm on Saturday, January 3. A spokesman for HM Coastguard said: “After resuming searches for a missing person along the coastline at Withernsea on January 3, HM Coastguard has ceased extensive searches this afternoon.” Humberside Police previously said they were called to Central Promenade in Withernsea at 3.15pm on Friday, January 2.
Police said a 67-year-old man was pulled from the water unconscious and died at the scene, and the body of a second person was found on Friday evening.
The search for a third man resumed on Saturday morning and HM Coastguard, Yorkshire Ambulance Service and Humberside Fire and Rescue remained in the area.
Eyewitnesses said that several people tried to save the “young girl” who was allegedly dragged into the sea, and a local business owner said that the teenager was on the stairs when she hit a big wave and knocked her into the water. HullLive reports.
Paul Whitehead, owner of the Castle Cafe on the promenade, told The Telegraph that his staff tried to help the girl, including one who threw her a life preserver.
“Around 3pm, a girl aged around 15 walked down the concrete steps of the Pier Towers and the sea was so rough that she was washed away,” he told the newspaper. “Then her parents went down to help her, and one of my staff members grabbed a life ring. The young girl grabbed the ring, but she hit a wave and couldn’t hold on and sank.
“Four local men who were on the promenade also came down to help the parents.”
Police said the circumstances surrounding both deaths are not believed to be suspicious.
“We continue to ask people to avoid the area so emergency services can operate efficiently and safely,” police added.
The coastguard said a rescue helicopter, coastguard rescue teams from Withernsea, Hornsea and Hull, an RNLI coastal lifeboat from Withernsea and an all-weather lifeboat from Bridlington and the Hornsea Coastal Rescue team were also among those attending the scene.
