Withernsea sea deaths leaves ‘happy little town’ reeling

In the wake of a maritime tragedy that left two people dead and a third still missing, the small East Yorkshire resort town of Withernsea is a community in mourning. Residents speak of their pain, but also their determination to support each other and the affected families.

This contrast is as stark as the wind blowing the snow into the faces of the rescuers; Families carrying buckets and shovels head to the beach to build snowmen, and weary coast guards wearing blue overalls and high-vis jackets search for a missing person.

On Friday, two people died after being pulled from the water in the town of Withernsea, which has a population of just 6,500.

The victims were: Mark Ratcliffe, 67A 45-year-old woman who died trying to save others.

A third person remains missing, but HM Coastguard confirmed a major search has been launched to find them Canceled at 16:00 GMT on Saturday.

From our vantage point next to the battlemented entrance of a former dock destroyed by storms and ship collisions in the late 19th century, the Rev. Clive’s Hall in the town’s St Matthew’s Church also overlooks families on the promenade.

“Withernsea is a fun place,” he says.

“This is a place where people come to have fun, even in winter. It’s much smaller and quieter than Bridlington up the coast.

“We’re so close-knit here. But now we have tears and heartbreak. The mood is somber.”

Mr Hall tells me how five churches in the town came together and the clergy came together at Withernsea Methodist Church, which became the focus of prayers.

Services on Sunday will reflect the town’s loss.

“People are already talking about a dedicated service. That’s something to consider later,” Mr Hall says.

Angie Smith, 51, from Hull, walks with her family. He too associates Withernsea with happy memories.

“It’s always been a happy little seaside town,” he says.

“What a terrible start to this year.

“Those people like us [those who died] I went to the seaside for a walk and then this happened.

Darrin Stevens’ photographs showing the initial search and rescue efforts were widely published.

Now, as a woman leaves a bouquet of flowers, he stands on the promenade – without his camera – and reflects on the events.

“The balcony of my house overlooks the sea,” he says and points at it.

“Within a few minutes, all I could see was a wall of flashing blue lights.”

Mr Stevens did not see anyone in the water as the sea wall saved him from witnessing the tragedy.

Like Mr. Hall, he describes a town that supports each other.

“A lot of people came to the promenade on Friday evening,” he says.

“They weren’t there to take photos for social media; they were there to show support.

“My neighbors brought coffee and tea to the rescuers. People wanted to help however they could. It was extraordinary for all the wrong reasons.”

Jason Catlin, 45, who lives opposite the town’s RNLI station, agrees.

“Even though something like this doesn’t directly affect everyone, everyone feels it,” he says.

“It feels really gloomy.”

Friends David Lewis, 69, and Neil Finn, 63, know this coastline well and explain the dangers.

Pointing to the road that runs parallel to the promenade, well away from the sea, Mr Lewis says: “I worked as a road cleaner for the council and would often see pebbles and boards thrown up by the sea scattered here after a storm.”

Mr Finn adds: “I’ve seen the sea rise over the towers before.

“The sea can be very dangerous.”