Schoolgirl was stood on steps near water when freak wave came
A BODY has been found in the hunt for a 15-year-old girl after her mum and a hero passer-by died trying to save her when she was swept out to sea.
Grace Keeling disappeared in the water near Withernsea – off the East Yorkshire coast – on January 2 with her mum Sarah, 45.
Sarah Keeling died trying to rescue her daughterCredit: PA
Mark Ratcliffe also jumped in the sea to save the teenCredit: PA
Hero passer-by Mark Ratcliffe, 67, was also killed in the horror as he bravely tried to pull the pair to safety.
Humberside Police today confirmed they are in the process of attempting to retrieve a body from among the rocks.
The discovery was made on Thursday morning but tide times and conditions have meant recovery “could not be immediately carried out”.
Officers are now working with specialist teams to “delicately recover the body”, the force said.
Detective Superintendent Simon Vickers, of Humberside Police, added: “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, January 2, and extensive searches have followed over the last thirteen days to locate her.
“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.”
The tragic discovery comes after an inquest was opened into the triple tragedy earlier this week.
East Yorkshire area coroner Lorraine Harris said Sarah’s cause of death was drowning contributed to by head and neck injuries.
Mark died from drowning, with chest injuries given as a contributory factor.
The coroner adjourned both hearings until a date to be fixed.
A huge search and rescue operation was launched after Sarah and Grace got into difficulty.
Grace had been standing on steps near the water when she was swept out to sea, with Sarah and Mark jumping in to try to save her.
Two other men went into the sea to try to help her but managed to escape unharmed.
In a letter to parents, Tim Paling, headteacher at Grace’s school Quarrydale Academy, said: “This loss is felt deeply across our wider school community.
“Grace was a wonderful young person and a greatly valued member of the academy.
“Over her time with us she grew in confidence and maturity, and she was known by staff and students for her kindness, warmth and positivity.
“Grace consistently brought joy into the classroom, approached her learning with enthusiasm, and showed genuine care for others. She was polite, thoughtful, and deeply appreciative of the support given to her.”
He added that he had “spoken directly with Grace’s dad” to offer condolences and said support would be given to fellow students.
Tributes have flooded in following the tragedyCredit: SWNS
