Humberside Police have announced the recovery of a body believed to be that of missing teenager Grace Keeling, bringing a close to a desperate fourteen-day search operation along the East Yorkshire coast.
A Desperate Rescue Attempt Turns to Tragedy
The incident began on Friday, 2 January 2026, when 15-year-old Grace Keeling was swept into the sea from steps near the water at Withernsea Beach. Upon seeing her in trouble, her mother, Sarah Keeling, 45, and a nearby man, Mark Ratcliffe, 67, immediately entered the water in a brave attempt to save her.
Tragically, both would-be rescuers lost their lives in the process. Their bodies were recovered later that same evening. Subsequent inquests confirmed that drowning was the primary cause of death for both Sarah Keeling and Mark Ratcliffe.
An Extensive Search Against the Elements
The alarm was raised just after 3pm on January 2, triggering a major multi-agency search and rescue mission. The operation involved HM Coastguard, the RNLI, Humberside Police, Humberside Fire and Rescue Service, and Yorkshire Ambulance Service.
Search efforts continued relentlessly despite atrocious conditions, including snow and freezing temperatures the following day. The challenging weather eventually forced a temporary suspension of the search that afternoon.
On Thursday, 15 January, Humberside Police Search Advisors discovered a body at around 8.30am. However, due to the location, tide times, and dangerous conditions, a recovery operation was not immediately possible.
A Heartbreaking Conclusion
The recovery was successfully completed on Saturday, 17 January, with assistance from HM Coastguard and Humberside Fire and Rescue Service. While formal identification is pending, police strongly believe the body to be that of Grace Keeling.
In a statement, Detective Superintendent Simon Vickers said: “This was a deeply upsetting incident, and I cannot begin to understand the heartbreak felt by all the loved ones of those involved.” He confirmed that specially trained officers are supporting Grace's family, who have requested privacy.
Tributes have poured in for Grace, who was described by her school as "a wonderful young person" who "brought joy to the classroom." The community of Withernsea and beyond now mourns the loss of three lives in this devastating coastal incident.
