Withernsea: Yorkshire rescue teams forced to stand down major sea search for third missing person

Two people died and a third is still missing after trying to help a teenage girl who was “washed away” in the sea at Withernsea, according to reports.

Now rescue teams have confirmed the search has been stood down at 4pm, as darkness drew and wintry weather conditions worsened.

Humber Coastguard said in a statement: “After resuming shoreline searches in Withernsea for one missing person today, 3 January, HM Coastguard stood down its extensive search effort this afternoon.”

Police were first called to Central Promenade at 3.15pm on Friday. A 67-year-old man was pulled unconscious from the water and died at the scene, the force said, while a second person’s body was recovered later on Friday evening.

Searches have continued today for a third missing person, despite treacherous and wintry conditions.

A huge and united rescue effort saw helicopters, coastguard teams from Hull, Withernsea, Hornsea and Bridlington alongside police at the scene, and Hornsea Inshore Rescue, Yorkshire Ambulance Service and Humberside Fire and Rescue.

Paul Whitehead, owner of Castle Cafe on the promenade, earlier 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.”

A statement from HM Coastguard said searches had continued late into the night, resuming early this morning. They were stood down at 4pm.

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