Girl, 15, swept out by huge wave ‘while posing for photo for mum’ who tried to save her

A mother and her daughter have lost their lives after being swept away at a beach in Withernsea.

Sarah Keeling, 45, and her 15-year-old daughter Grace, were both named as victims in the tragedy which saw a heroic stranger also die trying to help the pair out of the freezing waters off the West Yorkshire coast.

The bodies of Mark Ratcliffe and Sarah were recovered on Friday, but searches continue to find Grace.

A friend told Metro she had spoken to Grace shortly before she was swept away.

She said: ‘Grace was in such a good mood just before. She was very happy. It was such a shame her life got taken so soon – all in one flash.’

The witness added: ‘Grace was on the steps watching the sea. Sarah wanted to take a photo so Grace turned around to face her, then a massive wave came and swept her out to sea.

‘Sarah started screaming and jumped right in after her. Her brother, a little boy, was left standing with the dog, just crying.

‘I was gonna jump in. I was screaming and shouting “let me go in” but my mum held me back.’

Paying tribute to the mother and daughter, she added: ‘They had a very strong bond.

‘Grace was a good kid and she didn’t deserve to go like this she would’ve lived a lot longer.’

According to her LinkedIn profile, Sarah was an international account Manager at RM Resources living in Sutton in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire.

A netball teammate of Ms Keeling, paid tribute on Facebook: ‘Cannot believe I’m even posting this, from knowing you back in the day to playing side by side with you on a netball court.

‘Getting back to winning the league starting tomorrow but that’s not going to pan out now. The 1- 2 legend of the court still can’t get my head around the devastating news.’

It came after the son of Mr Ratcliffe, who jumped in to try and help the mother and daughter, paid tribute to his dad.

Mark Ratcliffe, 67, died while attempting to rescue Grace who was ‘washed away’ at the beach on Friday afternoon.

Paying tribute to Mark, his family said: ‘A true selfless hero with a heart of gold, who was so cruelly taken trying to save others.

‘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.’

His son, Nigel, added to the tributes, writing on Facebook: ‘Bye Dad I miss you and I will never forget the true hero and role model you were.

‘I will continue to make you proud.’

He added: ‘A special thank you to the RNLI, HM coastguards and all the emergency services who did all they could and worked tirelessly and relentlessly in the awful weather conditions.

‘Our thoughts go out to the other lives and families affected in this awful tragedy.

‘Please respect we need time to grieve as a family and no further comments will be made at this time.’

Claire Ratcliffe also posted a tribute to her uncle, writing: ‘What a true hero you are.’

The body of a 45-year-old woman was also recovered after the incident in Withernsea.

An ‘extensive’ search for a third missing person resumed on Saturday morning but was stood down at around 4pm.

Humberside Police said residents will continue to see an increased police presence around Withernsea as the search continues.

Paul Whitehead, owner of Castle Cafe on the promenade, told The Telegraph that his staff had tried to help the girl, including one who threw her a life ring.

‘Around 3pm a girl, around 15 years old, went down the Pier Towers concrete steps and the seas are so rough, she got washed away,’ he told the newspaper.

‘Her parents then went down to try and help her, as did one of my staff, who grabbed a life ring.

‘The young girl had hold of the ring but was hit by a wave and couldn’t hold on and went under.

‘Four local men who were on the promenade then also went down to help the parents.’

Karen Higgs, 66, told the paper the girl was swept out by the waves.

‘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”,’ Ms Higgs told the newspaper.

‘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.’

Police said circumstances surrounding both deaths are not believed to be suspicious.

Humber Coastguard said in a statement: ‘Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with all those affected by this tragedy, particularly the families and friends of Sarah, Grace, and Mark, and the communities who are grieving.

‘When our rescue teams are called out, they strive to search, rescue, and save, responding with professionalism, dedication, and compassion in the most challenging circumstances.

‘HM Coastguard crews worked tirelessly and did everything within their power to help those involved, but despite these efforts, it is with great sadness that Sarah, Grace, and Mark could not be saved. We recognise the profound impact of this loss and keep everyone affected firmly in our thoughts.’

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