Withernsea: Police issue update on search for 15-year-old Grace Keeling as new details emerge
Humberside Police have issued an update on the search for missing 15-year-old Grace Keeling.
A large-scale search is underway along the Withernsea shoreline, from where the girl is believed to have fallen in the water on the afternoon of January 2.
Her mother Sarah Keeling died after entering the water in an attempt to save Grace. A member of the public, 67-year-old Mark Ratcliffe, also died trying to assist.
Following the assessment of CCTV footage and interviews with witnesses, police now believe they understand how the incident unfolded.
Chief Inspector Tom Stevens said: “Over the last five days we have been working to establish how the incident unfolded and understand the full circumstances of how Grace, Sarah and Mark came to be in the water.
“From trawling through CCTV and speaking to multiple witnesses who were in the area at the time, it is understood that Grace and her friend were on the steps near to the rocks when Grace is believed to have fallen into the water after being swept by a wave.
“Grace’s mum, Sarah, and three other members of the public who were nearby at the time, including Mark, immediately entered the water in an effort to save Grace.
“Alongside HM Coastguard, Yorkshire Ambulance Service and Humberside Fire and Rescue Services, we were immediately deployed to the area and during the initial searches, emergency services recovered Mark unconscious from the water.
“Despite the best efforts of medical professionals, Mark was pronounced deceased at the scene a short time later. Sarah’s body was then found by HM Coastguard the same evening.
“Two other men who also entered the water in an attempt to assist with the rescue managed to exit safely.
“I would like to offer my thanks to all members of the public and partners for their continued assistance in the search for Grace, your help has been invaluable.
“This is a truly tragic incident, and our thoughts remain with the families of Sarah Keeling and Mark Ratcliffe. Both families continue to be supported by specially trained officers and have requested their privacy at this devastating time.”
Regarding the ongoing search, Chief Inspector Stevens said: “Our priority now is to find Grace, and we are doing everything we can to locate her. This includes extensive searches along the shoreline and drone searches from Withernsea to Easington directed by our specialist search teams.
“Our underwater search unit has also been in the area, and we have consulted with an oceanographer to ensure our searches are as efficient as possible.
“Throughout the week, members of the public should expect to see a continued police presence in the area, and we would ask people to avoid the location to allow emergency services to work efficiently and safely.”