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Humberside Police have confirmed that a body was discovered in the ongoing search for 15-year-old Grace Keeling, who was swept into the sea off the East Yorkshire coast. Grace entered the water at Withernsea on 2 January, and both her mother, Sarah Keeling, 45, and a passer-by, 67-year-old Mark Ratcliffe, tragically lost their lives attempting to rescue her. Efforts to recover the body found among rocks on the beach at 08:30 GMT on Thursday were hindered by tidal conditions and other challenges, leading to a temporary pause in retrieval operations.
Emergency responders, including HM Coastguard, placed a cordon along Holmpton Road and remain present at the site. Detective Superintendent Simon Vickers explained that officers and specialist teams are working tirelessly under complex circumstances to recover the body safely. He stated, “Due to tide times, conditions and the location, the recovery could not be immediately carried out and has therefore been paused until it is safe to resume.” Specialist officers have also reached out to Grace Keeling’s family, urging the public to avoid speculation and respect their privacy during this difficult time.
The search began after emergency calls at around 15:00 GMT on 2 January, leading to a major operation involving coastguards, lifeboats, and helicopters. Investigations, including review of CCTV footage and witness statements, indicated Grace and a friend were on steps near the rocks when Grace was believed to have been swept into the water by a wave. Mark Ratcliffe was pulled unconscious from the sea and died at the scene, while Sarah Keeling’s body was recovered later that evening. In tribute, Ratcliffe’s family described him as a “true selfless hero with a heart of gold, who was so cruelly taken trying to save others.” A close friend of Sarah Keeling noted that she “left a mark with absolutely everyone she met.”
While no formal identification of the recently discovered body has yet taken place, authorities linked it to the extensive search for Grace Keeling that has lasted 13 days. Detective Superintendent Vickers acknowledged the impact of the update on the public and reassured that a dedicated team is doing everything possible to conduct the recovery safely and swiftly. Meanwhile, an inquest into the deaths of Mark Ratcliffe and Sarah Keeling was opened at Hull Coroners’ Court on 12 January. Preliminary post-mortem results showed Sarah Keeling died from drowning and head and neck injuries. She was from Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, and worked in sales. Ratcliffe, a retired warehouse worker originally from Bradford who lived in Withernsea, died from drowning and chest injuries. The inquest has been adjourned to a later date
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