A reckless individual has been photographed dicing with death beside towering waves at Whitby harbour, an act of stunning folly that occurred less than 24 hours after a tragic incident in Withernsea claimed two lives with a third person still missing.
A Perilous Moment Captured on Camera
The alarming image, sourced from live CCTV footage at Whitby Yacht Club, shows a person in a distinctive green hooded parka coat. They are seen cautiously inching down the slippery lifeboat and yacht ramp towards the churning, foaming water below. In the background, massive 15-foot waves can be seen crashing against the harbour wall, highlighting the extreme conditions.
When the footage was shared online, some residents questioned its authenticity, suggesting it was generated by artificial intelligence. However, the poster swiftly provided a link to the live stream, confirming the scene was tragically real. The public reaction was one of anger and disbelief, with many condemning the individual's actions as selfish and dangerous so soon after the nearby tragedy.
The Withernsea Tragedy: A Major Rescue Operation
This dangerous stunt unfolded against the grim backdrop of an ongoing major incident in Withernsea, East Yorkshire. Emergency services were scrambled at around 3:15pm on Friday, January 2, 2026, following reports of a 'number of people in difficulty in the water'.
Witnesses described a teenage girl being swept away by a large wave near Pier Towers, sparking panic and attempts to rescue her. The subsequent operation involved over 100 emergency service personnel from HM Coastguard, Humberside Police, Yorkshire Ambulance Service, Humberside Fire and Rescue, and lifeboat crews from Withernsea and Bridlington.
Despite extensive searches, the body of a 67-year-old man was recovered and pronounced dead at the scene. Later on Friday evening, a second body was tragically discovered. Searches continued throughout Saturday for a third missing person, were stood down overnight, and resumed on Sunday morning.
Public Outcry and a Stark Safety Warning
The juxtaposition of the Whitby incident with the Withernsea deaths has ignited fierce criticism online. Commenters expressed fury at the apparent lack of respect for the sea and the emergency services who risk their lives. One asked pointedly, 'Two have died and one missing in Withernsea - and people still do this?'
Another warned, 'And someone will be expected to save them from their own stupidity,' while a fourth branded the behaviour as 'Stupid, dangerous and selfish.' The collective message from the public and the circumstances is unequivocal: the power of the sea must be respected, especially during perilous winter weather.
Humberside Police have asked the public to avoid the Withernsea area to allow search and rescue efforts to continue efficiently. The incident serves as a harrowing reminder of the deadly risks posed by the UK's coastline, even to those who venture close to the water's edge.
