Body recovered in search for girl missing at sea

Emma PetrieEast Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

Humberside Police Grace Keeling and Sarah Keeling look at the camera while sitting in the car. Grace has long brown hair and Sarah has long blonde hair, they are both wearing blue denim jackets — Grace Keeling (left) and Sarah Keeling set sail in Withernsea on January 2

A body has been found during the search for a missing 15-year-old girl who was washed out to sea off the East Yorkshire coast, Humberside Police said.

Grace Keeling entered the water at Withernsea on January 2. He died after his mother, Sarah Keeling, 45, and passerby Mark Ratcliffe, 67, tried to save him.

While no official identification has yet been made, police said they believe this person is Grace Keeling.

Det Supt Simon Vickers said: “This was a very sad incident and I cannot understand the heartbreak felt by all the loved ones of those involved.”

Vickers said they have spoken to Grace Keeling’s family to update them on the situation and continue to support them with specially trained officers.

“Understandably, they wanted their privacy and we would like that to be respected,” he said.

Police said his body was found It was discovered around 08:30 GMT on Thursday He said after extensive searches over the past 14 days it was not possible to recover the body immediately due to tide times, conditions and location.

Officers said they were able to do this safely on Saturday morning with the help of HM Coastguard and Humberside Fire and Rescue Service.

One of many heartfelt tributes placed at the scene in Withernsea

Jasmine Lowe / BBC Close-up view of flowers. In the middle is a pink teddy bear with a note that reads: RIP to the mummy who tried to save your little girl. — One of many heartfelt tributes placed at the scene in Withernsea

Humberside Police thanked everyone who offered to search or assisted.

Vickers added: “Our thoughts and sincere sympathies will always remain with the families of Grace, Sarah Keeling and Mark Ratcliffe in the wake of this great tragedy.”

Police had previously said that by reviewing CCTV and speaking to several witnesses it became clear that Grace Keeling and a friend were on the steps near the rocks “believed to have fallen into the water after being swept away by the wave”.

Following reports that there were people in the water, a major operation was launched at 15:10 GMT on Friday, January 2. It involved HM Coastguard, emergency services, the RNLI and involved helicopters and lifeboats.

Ratcliffe of Withernsea, He was pulled from the sea unconscious and died at the scene.

The body of Sarah Keeling, from Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, was found later that evening.