‘It’s dark, it’s rough and it’s snowing. And they’re still looking’ – cafe owner
The owner of the Castle Cafe at Withernsea has revealed how a member of his staff braved the freezing waters to try to help the rescue efforts today (Friday, January 2), after reports of people missing in the sea.
The owner, who did not want to be named, said: “We’ve only just closed up. We’re right opposite where it happened and there were people coming across to us who had gone in the sea to try to help.
“My staff have been brilliant. They’ve been looking after people, giving them cups of tea, hot chocolate – whatever they need.”
The café owner said the search after people were reportedly missing in the sea off Withernsea was “massive”. He said: “There must be 12 emergency vehicles; coastguard; helicopters are up – it’s a massive search. It’s dreadful.
“This morning I woke up to a flood alert saying how rough it was going to be today. Two of my staff ran across when they heard a commotion – and one of them went in the sea.
“My staff member is okay but very shaken up, as you can imagine. And now, it’s dark, it’s rough and it’s snowing. And they’re still looking.”
An eyewitness to the unfolding events, who did not wish to be identified, said: “We just went there because we wanted to take a photo of the helicopter – they have loads of exercises over the year and we assumed it was that.
“We turned and left because I didn’t think it was right to spectate but as we were walking back a crowd began shouting and pointing. The police and lifeboat crew responded and we left because I was too upset and we didn’t want to be in the way.”
The latest update about the incident from HM Coastguard, issued at 7.15pm today, said searches for two missing people in the water off Withernsea were ongoing. A spokesperson said: “First alerted to reports of people in difficulty in the water at around 3.10pm, assets sent to the scene include an HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft, Coastguard Rescue Teams from Withernsea, Hornsea and Hull, the RNLI’s inshore lifeboat from Withernsea and all-weather lifeboat from Bridlington, and Hornsea Inshore Rescue.
“Yorkshire Ambulance Service has been sent as well as an air ambulance. Humberside Police and Humberside Fire and Rescue are also in attendance.”