People have commended the courage and bravery of frontline personnel and thanked the local community for their support
People have spoken of the “heroic efforts” and “selfless” acts of all those involved in the tragedy at Withernsea. Members of the public, politicians and the emergency services themselves have all voiced their heartfelt gratitude for the efforts made in appalling weather conditions, when people were reported in difficulty in the sea, on Friday, January 2.
Since then, 45-year-old mother Sarah Keeling, her daughter Grace Keeling, 15, and 67-year-old Mark Ratcliffe have all been named as victims of the tragedy. Sarah and Mark’s bodies were both recovered from the sea on Friday; Grace remains missing in the sea and the search for her continues.
In a post on social media, HM Coastguard Withernsea said: “HM Coastguard Withernsea would like to thank our emergency service colleagues at HM Coastguard Hornsea, Hull Coastguard Rescue Team, Bridlington Coastguard Rescue Team, RNLI Withernsea, Humberside Police, Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, Humberside Fire & Rescue Service, Hornsea Inshore Rescue, RNLI Bridlington Lifeboats, RNLI Skegness, for their incredible efforts over the last two days. We would also like to express our appreciation to the people of Withernsea and the wider community.
“Your generosity and support has been overwhelming. Finally, we want to send our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who have been affected by this terrible tragedy. Our thoughts and sincerest sympathies are with you all.”
In reply to the post, one person said: “I think I speak for the majority of the town when I say words cannot describe our gratitude for all the hard work and the hours you all gave to locate the three people.” Another said: “Every one of you are so brave and have done amazing.
READ MORE: ‘I cannot begin to imagine the depth of grief’ – Graham Stuart MP on Withernsea sea tragedy
“Takes a certain type to do what you guys do and we are a lucky community to have you all on standby. Thoughts and love to everyone affected by this tragedy.”
One reply read: “Thank you for everything you have all done in such terrible conditions. Hoping the third victim will be found in the very near future. Thoughts with those who have lost their loved ones.”
A further comment read: “Thanks for your heroic efforts in such terrible conditions, just a heartbreaking situation in the small close knit community of Withernsea. Thoughts with all the loved ones of those lost, rest in peace.”
Humberside Fire and Rescue Service also posted a message on social media. It said: “Our heartfelt thoughts and deepest sympathies are with everyone affected by this tragedy, especially the families and friends of Sarah, Grace and Mark, and the communities who are grieving.
“When our firefighters and colleagues in other emergency services are called upon, they respond with unwavering professionalism, dedication and compassion – striving to rescue and save in the most challenging circumstances. Despite these efforts, it is with great sadness that they could not be saved.
“We recognise the profound impact of this loss and keep everyone affected firmly in our thoughts.”
Hornsea Inshore Rescue said in a post: “We’d like to send our thoughts and love to all involved in such a tragic incident, to all the friends and families of Mark, Sarah and Grace at this very sad time, you are all in our thoughts. To all of the emergency services involved doing all they could in truly awful conditions, and we’d especially like to send our thoughts to our friends and colleagues at RNLI Withernsea, your efforts that evening were truly remarkable and selfless.”
RNLI Withernsea said in a post that its volunteers were quickly on scene and worked in difficult circumstances. “Despite the best efforts of all involved, this was a tragic incident and our thoughts are with the families, friends and all those affected,” the post said.
“We would like to thank all emergency services who we worked with during this operation, including our RNLI colleagues from Bridlington and Skegness . We also would like to thank members of the public who assisted and supported the emergency services, and to recognise the professionalism, coordination and commitment shown by all agencies during a prolonged and demanding response.
“We would also like to acknowledge the dedication of our volunteer lifeboat crew. This is one of the most difficult incidents we’ve ever had to deal with, and our crew continued searching – both at sea and on the land – in extremely difficult weather conditions over an extended period.”
Hull Coastguard Rescue Team said: “A belated thank you to Rapid Relief Team UK for reaching out over the last couple of days during the Withernsea search with your offer of full welfare support. On this occasion we were very kindly fed, watered and housed by RNLI Withernsea, but we don’t always have access to those facilities, especially if we’re in the middle of nowhere.
“As is often the case, the spotlight is on the visible frontline services, but without the backing of local community businesses, individuals and the likes of organisations like RRT, we wouldn’t be able to function nearly as well.”
Councillor Anne Handley, leader of East Riding Council, said: “Following the tragic incident at Withernsea over the weekend, on behalf of East Riding of Yorkshire Council I would like to thank all of those who worked tirelessly on the search and rescue effort, including HM Coastguard, the RNLI, Coastguard Rescue Teams from Bridlington, Hornsea, Hull, Skegness and Withernsea, Humberside Police, Humberside Fire and Rescue and Yorkshire Ambulance Service.
“I would also like to thank Withernsea Town Council and the local businesses who supported those involved in the search and rescue operation. Our thoughts are with the friends and families of those involved and all those affected.”
Posting on Hull Live’s social media pages, one person said: “Heartfelt thanks to all the emergency services who worked for hours trying to locate them. And a special mention and thanks to local companies and individuals who supported the rescue efforts.”
Another said: “So, so sad, so much love to all these families and the emergency services who have worked in shocking conditions and around the clock to do their very best, also the community of Withernsea.”