Graham Stuart has visited Withernsea to pay respects and listen to residents
Floral tributes at Pier Towers, Withernsea, for Grace Keeling, Sarah Keeling and Mark Ratcliffe(Image: Donna Clifford/Hull Live)
Graham Stuart MP has visited Withernsea to pay his respects following the tragic incident off the coast on Friday, January 2. Sarah Keeling, from Nottinghamshire, lost her life while trying to save her daughter, Grace, 15, who was drawn into the sea.
Withernsea resident Mark Ratcliffe, 67, died after entering the sea to help. Grace sadly remains missing.
The loss has had a profound impact on families, friends, and the wider Withernsea community. During his visit, Graham laid a wreath at the site where tributes have been placed, leaving a card and message of condolence.
He spent time in the town listening quietly to residents and those directly affected. Graham also met emergency responders involved in the rescue effort.
Volunteers from RNLI Withernsea, Hornsea Inshore Rescue and HM Coastguard described the extreme conditions they faced and the injuries some sustained during the response. Several volunteers were hurt while trying to save lives.
He also met members of the Coastguard team who talked through the events of the day and the risks taken in the attempt to rescue those in the water. Alongside the emergency response, local people acted with immense bravery to help others:
- Ellie Proctor, of the Castle Café, entered the sea in an attempt to rescue Grace
- Richard Shaw also entered the water, supported by George Gouldson, during the rescue attempt
Others supported the response in practical ways:
- Darren and Marie England delivered sandwiches and drinks to emergency crews
- Richard Hutchins provided food to those involved in the response
Community spaces were opened to provide warmth, care, and calm:
- Jayne Moxon, alongside Councillor Lyn Healing, opened the Meridian Centre to provide warmth and refreshments to emergency services as they stood down
- The Reverend Clive Hall opened St Matthew’s Church to offer pastoral care
- The Reverend Ian Greenfield opened Withernsea Methodist Church to provide support and reflection
- Paul Whitehead, of the Castle Café, supported emergency services on the ground, looked after staff affected by the incident, and helped reflect the concerns of the local community in the days that followed.
Graham has written to many of those involved to thank them personally for their courage, compassion, and practical support. During discussions with emergency responders, Graham was made aware of a practical issue affecting beach access.
Keys for barrier access, previously held locally, are now stored elsewhere, creating delays for emergency vehicles. Graham is looking into how this issue can be resolved.
The visit was marked by quiet reflection. Graham spent time taking in the scale of the loss and the strength of the response.
Emergency services were clear that everything possible was done in some of the worst sea conditions seen in years. The town remains in mourning and while public attention will move on, the impact on families, friends, and the wider community will endure.
Graham said: “My thoughts remain with the families and loved ones of Sarah, Mark and Grace. Three people lost their lives despite extraordinary efforts to save them.
“I came to Withernsea to pay my respects, to listen, and to thank those who acted with courage and compassion in extremely dangerous conditions. Mark represented the very best of the spirit of this town, seeing someone in trouble and trying to help.
“The response from emergency services and the wider community will not be forgotten.” Jayne Moxon, clerk of Withernsea Town Council, said: “When something like this happens, you don’t think about who is responsible for what. You just act.
“The priority was making sure people were warm, supported, and looked after. That’s what communities do.”
Councillor Lyn Healing, ward councillor for South East Holderness, said: “The response from local people was immediate and generous. The Meridian Centre became a place of warmth and support because people wanted to help in any way they could.
“Withernsea showed real strength in the face of tragedy.” The Rev Ian Greenfield, of Withernsea Methodist Church, said: “In times of tragedy, people often need space and quiet, as well as compassion and care.
“Our doors were open so people could sit, reflect, pray if they wished, and not to feel alone. Our prayers remain with the families and with everyone carrying the weight of this loss.”
Paul Whitehead, owner of Castle Café, said: “Nothing compares to the tragic loss for both families, but Withernsea is going through something truly heartbreaking. We’re comforted, though, by how people looked out for each other in those awful moments and continue to do so.
“Nothing can take away the loss, but the way the town has pulled together makes us all proud.” Ellie Proctor said: “What happened that day will stay with me forever.
“I just did what anyone would want someone to do if it was their family. My thoughts are with Grace and her family, Mark’s family and with everyone who has been affected by this terrible loss.”
Darren and Marie England, organisers of the Withernsea Armed Forces Veterans Breakfast Club, said: “It was just about doing what we could to help the emergency crews. They were out there for hours in awful conditions.
“The least we could do was make sure they had food and something warm. We opened up the Meridian for all the services to use that cold morning, with hot drinks and biscuits, and we were also running the veterans’ breakfast club.
“The hot meals were kindly donated by WAFVBC, which made a real difference.”