Mum and daughter in Withernsea horror named after ‘wave watching’ ended in tragedy

Mother and daughter, Sarah Keeling, 45 and her 15-year-old daughter Grace were killed along with good Samaritan Mark Ratcliffe, 67, after the teenager was ‘swept away’ in Withernsea, East Yorkshire

A mother and her teenage daughter have been named as two of the victims of the Withernsea tragedy. Sarah Keeling, 45 died and her 15-year-old daughter Grace is still missing after being “swept away” while wave watching.

Good Samaritan, Mark Ratcliffe, 67 was pulled from the water unconscious and later died after attempting to help on January 2.

An update released by Humberside Police this evening said: “Following reports of concerns for safety for people in the water in Withernsea, with the permission of the family, Humberside Police can now confirm that a mother and daughter, 45-year-old Sarah Keeling and 15-year-old Grace Keeling, were involved in this tragic incident, alongside 67-year-old Mark Ratcliffe, a member of the public who died trying to assist with the rescue.

“The bodies of Sarah Keeling and Mark Ratcliffe were recovered on the evening of Friday, 2 January 2026. Searches are still ongoing to locate Grace.

“Both families continue to be supported by specially trained officers.”

In a heartfelt tribute, Mark’s family described him as: “A true selfless hero with a heart of gold, who was so cruelly taken trying to save others.”

They said: “So many lives are now shattered that you’re gone. You were loved by so many people, and we will all miss you forever. A loving husband, father, son, brother and the best grandad anybody could ever wish for.

“Sleep tight, we love you, we miss you.”

Mr Ratcliffe was pulled unconscious from the sea following a massive search and rescue operation involving The Coastguard, RNLI, Humberside Police, Humberside Fire and Rescue, and Yorkshire Ambulance, which was launched just after 3pm on Friday.

They acted in response to reports of “a number of people in difficulty in the sea”.

It is believed that Grace was on the steps of the Pier Towers when she was swept into the sea by a large wave in freezing temperatures.

According to local cafe owner Paul Whitehead, whose CCTV captured the tragic incident, the others who entered the water were attempting to save her.

Eyewitness Karen Higgs, 66, said: “I was by the cafe and this woman was running up the front towards the pier towers, shouting ‘she’s in the water, she’s in the water.’

“I looked and I went across and there was somebody in the water… going in and out with the waves.

“Someone threw a safety ring in for her to catch. She was going out as the ring went in and it went and she never tried to catch it. We were all shouting at her to catch it, catch it. She just didn’t.”

The town of Withernsea, described by distraught residents as ‘in mourning’, came together to help those involved in the tragedy and rescue by offering warm spaces and drinks, as well as emotional support.

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