Police have made a grim discovery on a beach while searching for missing teenager Grace Keeling. The 15-year-old girl has been missing since falling into the water at Withernsea, Yorkshire, on January 2. Grace’s mother, Sarah Keeling, 45, and passerby Mark Ratcliffe, 67, attempted to rescue her but tragically lost their lives in the process. Mr. Ratcliffe was found unconscious during initial search efforts, and Grace was later located by HM Coastguard after several days.
According to reports, Grace was believed to have fallen into the water after being swept by a wave while she and a friend were near the rocks. The incident occurred as 12-foot waves hit the promenade, causing her to vanish from sight.
A body has now been found by Humberside Police in the search area. Emergency services and HM Coastguard are present to recover the body from the rocks, although challenges due to tide times and conditions have delayed the process. Detective Superintendent Simon Vickers of Humberside Police stated that despite efforts, the safe recovery could not be completed before high tide. The location has been secured, and a cordon remains in place.
While formal identification is pending, the discovery aligns with the search for Grace Keeling, who went missing on January 2. Specialized teams are working diligently to recover the body safely and efficiently. The police have contacted Grace’s family to inform them of the discovery and have urged the public to respect their privacy and avoid the area to allow emergency services to operate safely.
Inquests into the deaths of Sarah Keeling and Mark Ratcliffe have been opened and adjourned at Hull Coroners’ Court. The coroner determined that Sarah’s primary cause of death was drowning, with head and neck injuries as contributing factors, while Mark’s primary cause of death was drowning, with chest injuries as a contributory factor.
Mark’s family paid tribute to him, describing him as a selfless hero who was tragically lost while trying to save others. They expressed their deep sorrow over his passing and emphasized the impact he had on their lives.
