Man who died trying to save two people in dangerous sea was ‘true selfless hero’ | Yorkshire

The 67-year-old man, who lost his life while trying to save two people in distress at sea, was described as “a true selfless hero with a heart of gold.”

Mark Ratcliffe’s family have named him as the man who was pulled unconscious from the sea at Withernsea in East Yorkshire on Friday afternoon. Police said he died at the scene.

Ratcliffe died trying to save two people at sea. One of them was a 45-year-old woman whose body was found. A large-scale sea search for a third person was called off by the coast guard on Saturday afternoon.

Ratcliffe’s family said in their tribute that he was “a true selfless hero with a heart of gold who was brutally deceived while trying to save others”.

“So many lives have been shattered now that you’re gone,” they said. “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 tight, we love you, we miss you.”

Emergency services were called to Central Promenade in the East Yorkshire seaside resort at 3.15pm on Friday in response to reports of people struggling in the water.

Eyewitnesses said they saw people running to save a young woman who had fallen into a dangerous sea.

Humberside police said Ratcliffe’s family will be supported by specialist police officers.

A spokesman said residents “will continue to see an increased police presence in and around the area as officers continue to search for the only remaining missing person.”