Police have found a body on a beach while searching for missing teenager Grace Keeling. The 15-year-old went missing after falling into the water at Withernsea, Yorkshire, on January 2. Her mother, Sarah Keeling, and passerby Mark Ratcliffe, 67, attempted to rescue her but tragically both lost their lives in the incident. Grace disappeared into the water after being swept by a wave while wave watching with her mother.
Humberside Police confirmed the discovery of a body on the beach. Emergency services and HM Coastguard are present and working to delicately recover the body from the rocks. The body was found on Thursday morning, but due to tide times and conditions, the recovery operation could not be immediately carried out.
Detective Superintendent Simon Vickers of Humberside Police stated that a body was discovered on Thursday morning but due to safety concerns, the recovery had to be postponed until conditions were more favorable. While formal identification has not yet taken place, the discovery comes after extensive searches for Grace Keeling, who was swept into the water on January 2. The police are working diligently to safely recover the body.
Inquests into the deaths of Sarah and Mark were opened and adjourned at Hull Coroners’ Court. The coroner reported that Sarah’s primary cause of death was drowning with head and neck injuries contributing. Mark’s primary cause of death was drowning with chest injuries as a contributing factor.
Mark’s family paid tribute to him as a selfless hero with a heart of gold, who tragically lost his life while trying to save others. His family described him as a beloved husband, father, son, brother, and grandad.
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