Man dies as search continues for ‘number of people in difficulty’ in sea at Withernsea
A 67-year-old man has died in a popular Yorkshire seaside town following reports that “large numbers of people are facing water shortages”.
The alarm went off in the East Yorkshire seaside town of Withernsea just after 3pm on Friday, January 2.
The major search is still ongoing and is being carried out by HM Coastguard, including the RNLI, Humberside Police, Yorkshire Ambulance Service and Humberside Fire and Rescue.
Humberside Police said: “During initial searches emergency services pulled an unconscious man from the water. “Despite best efforts we can confirm that a 67-year-old man died at the scene a short time later.
“The circumstances surrounding his death are not considered suspicious.
“Searches are still ongoing. As searches continue, residents will continue to see increased police presence in and around the area.
“We would ask people to please avoid the area so that emergency services can operate efficiently and safely.”
HM Coastguard confirmed it searched the water for two missing people at around 7pm, more than four hours after the alarm was raised.
A spokesman for HM Coastguard said: “HM Coastguard is searching for two missing persons off the coast of Withernsea today, January 2.
“Assets first dispatched to the scene at around 3.10pm following reports of people experiencing difficulties in the water included an HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft, Coastguard Rescue Teams from Withernsea, Hornsea and Hull, the RNLI inshore lifeboat from Withernsea and the all-weather lifeboat and Hornsea Inshore Rescue from Bridlington.
“An air ambulance was sent as well as Yorkshire Ambulance Service. Humberside Police and Humberside Fire and Rescue are also at the scene. Searches continue.”
Humberside Fire and Rescue Services were called to the scene at 3.40pm on Friday.
A spokesman said: “There are emergency vehicles around Withernsea’s central promenade. We would urge people to avoid this area if possible and to use caution as emergency vehicles will be moving through the area.”
Hornsea Inshore Rescue warned in a Facebook post that conditions were unsafe and said its casualty care team was heading to Withernsea to assist.
“Invoked, failed to initialize [a] Due to the terrible conditions and ten-foot waves breaking over our slipway, the lifeboat will blow the tractor and trailer sideways off the ramp. Our 4×4 vehicle [is] “We are heading to Withernsea with the casualty care team,” he said.
Local resident Darren Stevens told the BBC he witnessed numerous emergency vehicles and crews near the beach.
He also said it had snowed before and that conditions were “bitter” and “freezing.”
“It’s not a good place to be at sea,” he added.
