'Heroic efforts' and 'selfless' acts of our emergency services

PEOPLE HAVE COMMENDED THE COURAGE AND BRAVERY OF FRONTLINE PERSONNEL AND THANKED THE LOCAL COMMUNITY FOR THEIR SUPPORT

- By DEBORAH HALL

Sarah Keeling with daughter Grace Keeling

PEOPLE have spoken of the "heroic efforts" and "selfless" acts of all those involved in the tragedy at Withernsea.

Members of the public, politicians and the emergency services themselves have all voiced their heartfelt gratitude for the efforts made in appalling weather conditions, when people were reported in difficulty in the sea, on Friday, January 2.

Since then, 45-year-old mother Sarah Keeling, her daughter Grace Keeling, 15, and 67-year-old Mark Ratcliffe have all been named as victims of the tragedy. Sarah and Mark's bodies were both recovered from the sea on Friday; Grace remains missing in the sea and the search for her continues.

In a post on social media, HM Coastguard Withernsea said: "HM Coastguard Withernsea would like to thank our emergency service colleagues at HM Coastguard Hornsea, Hull Coastguard Rescue Team, Bridlington Coastguard Rescue Team, RNLI Withernsea, Humberside Police, Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, Humberside Fire & Rescue Service, Hornsea Inshore Rescue, RNLI Bridlington Lifeboats, RNLI Skegness, for their incredible efforts over the last two days. We would also like to express our appreciation to the people of Withernsea and the wider community.

"Your generosity and support has been overwhelming. Finally, we want to send our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who have been affected by this terrible tragedy. Our thoughts and sincerest sympathies are with you all."

In reply to the post, one person said: "I think I speak for the majority of the town when I say words cannot describe our gratitude for all the hard work and the hours you all gave to locate the three people." Another said: "Every one of you are so brave and have done amazing.

'I cannot begin to imagine the depth of grief' - Graham Stuart MP on Withernsea sea tragedy