Man dies after being pulled from sea as search continues for two missing off Withernsea | Yorkshire
A man has died as the search continues for two people believed to be missing off the coast of Withernsea in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
Humberside police have confirmed the death of a 67-year-old man who was pulled unconscious from the water but later died.
Emergency services were called just after 3pm to reports of people stranded in the water, and ambulances, helicopters and planes were among those braving “terrible conditions” during the day, with waves reaching almost 3 metres.
Photographer Darrin Stevens, who lives just 250 meters from the shore where rescue teams were working during the search, said the weather was bitter and freezing.
He said: “I came back to my office and saw this: [emergency services] 30 meters away from the sea. You could see the helicopter so close to the house it was incredible.
“The sea could be very dangerous, the water is very brackish and if they were in that water they wouldn’t have much time, it’s a dangerous place.
“The weather was freezing and when the sea is that rough every care needs to be taken, you need to be smartest,” he said.
HM Coastguard said searches were continuing.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) has issued an advisory warning that the effects of cold water shock, combined with weather conditions, pose a risk to anyone entering water at or below 15°C, particularly at a time of year when the average sea temperature around the UK and Ireland is 6 to 10°C.
Gareth Morrison, the RNLI’s head of water safety, said: “We know that many people take part in festive and new year dives at this time of year, or continue to take part in regular winter swims. “We would urge anyone entering the water to be aware of the dangers, check sea conditions carefully and understand their own limitations.
“Sea temperatures are still falling and reach their coldest values around March, and the effects of cold water, along with weather conditions and personal health issues, should be taken seriously before entering the sea.”
The operation in Yorkshire follows the death of a 51-year-old man at sea off Brighton on New Year’s Day.
Sussex police were alerted at 10.35am on Thursday after the swimmer, from Kettering, Northamptonshire, was rescued from the water west of Brighton Palace Pier.
