Missing Grace: Police find body
TRAGIC: Grace Keeling and her mum Sarah Keeling. Pictures provided by Humberside Police
By Rick Lyon, Co-Editor
Police searching for a teenage girl swept into the sea in Withernsea a fortnight ago have found a body.
Grace Keeling, 15, was swept into the water during rough weather on the afternoon of Friday, January 2, and searches for her have continued.
Her mother, Sarah Keeling, 45, and passer-by Mark Ratcliffe, 67, both entered the water in an attempt to rescue her but died.
Humberside Police said this afternoon that a body had been located among rocks on the beach but they had yet to be able to recover it due to the tide and conditions.
Emergency services and HM Coastguard attended the scene near Holmpton Road.
Detective Superintendent Simon Vickers said: “At around 8.30am, a body was discovered by Humberside Police Search Advisors, however due to tide times and conditions, despite every effort it was not possible to carry out a safe recovery before high tide. The location was secured overnight using specialist equipment, and a cordon remains in place around the area.
“Today (Friday, 16 January 2026), officers and specialist teams have been working to explore every possible option in very complex circumstances to delicately recover the body. However, due to tide times, conditions and the location, the recovery could not be immediately carried out and has therefore been paused until it is safe to resume.
“Whilst no formal identification has taken place at this time, we recognise that this discovery comes after 15-year-old Grace Keeling was swept into the water on Friday, 2 January 2026, and extensive searches have followed over the last thirteen days to locate her.
“I appreciate this update will understandably cause concern to members of the public, however I would like to offer my reassurance that we have a dedicated team of specialists who are doing everything they can in their efforts to carry out the recovery as safely and as quickly as possible.
“Specialist officers have been in contact with Grace’s family to make them aware of this discovery, and we would please ask people to refrain from speculation with consideration and respect for their privacy. We would also ask the public to avoid the area to allow emergency services to work safely.
“Further updates will be provided as soon as we are able to.”
‘SELFLESS HERO’: Mark Ratcliffe
The tragic incident happened in the Central Promenade area of the town and emergency services were called following reports of concern for the safety of people in the water.
The bodies of Mrs Keeling and Mr Ratcliffe were recovered later the same evening.
Inquests into both deaths were opened and adjourned at Hull Coroners’ Court on Monday, January 12.
The hearing heard a preliminary post-mortem examination found Mrs Keeling’s primary cause of death was drowning, with head and neck injuries being contributing factors. She was married and lived in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire.
Mr Ratcliffe’s cause of death was recorded as drowning, with chest injuries a contributing factor. He was a retired warehouse worker who lived in Withernsea.
In a statement released by the police, Mr Ratcliffe’s 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.”