15-year-old Grace was found almost two weeks after a rescue operation was launched when she was swept out into the water during stormy weather
Grace Keeling and her mum Sarah Keeling sadly died in the tragedy(Image: Humberside Police)
The inquest into the tragic death of a 15-year-old girl who was swept out to sea in Withernsea has been opened. Grace Keeling’s body was recovered on Thursday, January 15, the inquest heard.
Grace had disappeared into the sea 13 days previously, triggering a multi-agency search-and-rescue operation on Friday, January 2. Lorraine Harris, area coroner for Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire, said part of the inquest’s purpose would be to establish an appropriate time of death for Grace, as well as a cause of death.
Ms Harris said Grace Keeling was born on August 19, 2010. She was from Sutton-on-Ashfield in Nottinghamshire.
In a previous statement, Humberside Police said the force was called to the incident at Central Promenade in Withernsea at 3.15pm on January 2. The force said, after reviewing CCTV footage and interviewing multiple witnesses, it was understood Grace and a friend were stood near the rocks on the seafront.
She was “believed to have fallen into the water after being swept by a wave”. Police said officers were deployed along with coastguards, ambulance and fire service resources.
In an effort to save Grace, her mother, Sarah Keeling, 45, and Withernsea resident Mark Ratcliffe, 67, also went into the sea. The date of their deaths was recorded as January 2, a previous inquest hearing heard.
Mr Ratcliffe was recovered unconscious from the water during the initial searches. He was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later, police said.
Later that evening, Mrs Keeling’s body was found by the coastguard. Two other men who entered the water in attempt to help managed to exit safely, police said.
Mr Ratcliffe’s family has paid tribute to him, describing him as a “true selfless hero with a heart of gold”.
No family members were in attendance at Hull Coroners’ Court. Ms Harris adjourned all three hearings until a future date.