Sarah Keeling and Mark Ratcliffe sadly died after entering the water to try to rescue Grace Keeling – who remains missing – on January 2
Flowers at Pier Towers, Withernsea, for Sarah Keeling, Grace Keeling and Mark Ratcliffe(Image: Donna Clifford/Hull Live)
Inquests into the tragic deaths two people who were pulled from the sea trying to rescue a teenage girl in Withernsea have been opened. Sarah Keeling, 45, and Mark Ratcliffe, 67, sadly died as a result of drowning in the tragedy on Friday, January 2, the inquests heard.
A search is continuing for Sarah’s 15-year-old daughter Grace who went into the water but has not yet been found. East Yorkshire area coroner Lorraine Harris told Mrs Keeling’s inquest that her primary cause of death was drowning and this was contributed to by head and neck injuries.
Ms Harris said Mrs Keeling was a married woman who was born in Germany, lived in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, and worked in international sales. The coroner also confirmed that Mr Ratcliffe’s main cause of death was drowning, with chest injuries contributing. Mr Ratcliffe, originally from Bradford, lived in Withernsea and was a retired warehouse manager.
Each inquest opening lasted approximately two minutes at Hull Coroners’ Court, with no family members in attendance. Ms Harris adjourned both hearings until a future date.
Humberside Police previously reported that officers responded to the incident at Central Promenade in Withernsea at 3.15pm on January 2. Last week, the force stated that ,after reviewing CCTV footage and interviewing multiple witnesses, it is understood that Grace and a friend were stood near the rocks on the seafront when she is “believed to have fallen into the water after being swept by a wave”.
Mrs Keeling and three other members of the public, including Mr Ratcliffe, entered the water in an effort to save Grace. Police said officers were deployed along with coastguards, ambulance and fire service resources.
Mr Ratcliffe was recovered unconscious from the water during the initial searches. He was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later, the force said. Mrs Keeling’s body was then found by the coastguard the same evening.
Two other men who also entered the water in an attempt to assist with the rescue managed to exit safely, police said.
Mr Ratcliffe’s family has paid tribute to him, saying he was a “true selfless hero with a heart of gold, who was so cruelly taken trying to save others”.