A coroner has formally opened inquests into the deaths of two people who drowned after entering the sea in a desperate bid to rescue a teenage girl.
Inquests Opened for Withernsea Tragedy
At Hull Coroners' Court on Monday, East Yorkshire area coroner Lorraine Harris opened and adjourned the hearings into the deaths of Sarah Keeling, 45, and Mark Ratcliffe, 67. The pair lost their lives after entering the water at Withernsea, East Yorkshire, on January 2.
The court heard that Mrs Keeling, who was married, born in Germany and lived in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, died primarily from drowning, with head and neck injuries listed as contributing factors. She worked in international sales.
Mr Ratcliffe, a retired warehouse manager born in Bradford and living in Withernsea, also died from drowning, with chest injuries noted as a contributing factor. Each brief hearing lasted around two minutes, with no family members present.
Desperate Attempt to Save Teenage Girl
Humberside Police were called to Central Promenade in Withernsea at 3.15pm on January 2. Following a review of CCTV and witness accounts, officers believe that 15-year-old Grace Keeling and a friend were standing on steps near rocks when a wave swept Grace into the sea.
Her mother, Sarah Keeling, and three members of the public, including Mark Ratcliffe, immediately entered the water in an attempt to save her. Emergency services, including police, coastguards, ambulance crews and the fire service, were dispatched to the scene.
During the initial search, Mr Ratcliffe was pulled from the water unconscious and was pronounced dead at the scene shortly afterwards. Mrs Keeling's body was found by coastguards later that evening. Two other men who entered the water managed to get out safely.
Ongoing Search and Tributes Paid
A major search operation remains ongoing for 15-year-old Grace Keeling, the daughter of Sarah Keeling, who has not been found.
In a moving tribute, Mark Ratcliffe's family described him as a "true selfless hero with a heart of gold, who was so cruelly taken trying to save others."
The inquests for both Sarah Keeling and Mark Ratcliffe have been adjourned to a later date, pending further investigation into the sea rescue tragedy.
