The windswept promenade of Withernsea in East Yorkshire, usually a place of quiet seaside reflection even in winter, has become a site of profound sorrow and lingering hope. On a bitterly cold afternoon just hours into 2026, a rogue wave shattered the lives of a family from Nottinghamshire and claimed the life of a local hero. Fifteen-year-old Grace Keeling was swept into the ferocious North Sea while standing on concrete steps near Pier Towers. Her mother, Sarah Keeling, 45, desperately tried to save her, getting heartbreakingly close—”inches away”—before the currents claimed her too. Local grandfather Mark Ratcliffe, 67, plunged into the freezing waters to help, only to lose his own life in the attempt.

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As of January 7, 2026, the bodies of Sarah and Mark have been recovered, but the extensive search for Grace continues along the coastline, with no sign of the vibrant teenager who friends describe as full of joy and potential.

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In a deeply emotional tribute that has touched hearts across the nation, Joanne Gee—a close friend of Sarah’s for 15 years—traveled from her home in Derby to lay flowers at the scene on Monday. Fighting back tears as she placed a bouquet among the growing pile of tributes tied to railings overlooking the fateful steps, Joanne spoke of a woman whose positivity lit up every room and whose love for her daughter was boundless.

“Sarah adored Grace. Grace was her whole world,” Joanne said, her voice breaking. “She was just the kind of person that leaves a mark with absolutely everyone she met. Sarah was always positive—I called her my ‘yes girl’ because if you ever wanted to do anything random, she would be like ‘yeah’. She was always doing things with family and friends. She definitely lived life to the full and took every opportunity to be happy.”

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Joanne, who had Sarah as a bridesmaid at her wedding and shared a passion for running with her, revealed they had planned a weekend trip to London in February. “I can’t comprehend what the family is going through,” she added. “When it’s someone you know and love… you just can’t put it into words. The poor man who gave his life to try and save them—it’s three beautiful souls lost.”

The tragedy unfolded around 3:15 PM on Friday, January 2. Grace, described by those who knew her as “very happy” and in a “good mood” just moments before, was with a friend watching the dramatic waves crash against the promenade. Witnesses say she descended the concrete steps near the rocks—perhaps chasing the thrill that many youngsters feel—when a massive swell, part of waves reaching three meters, struck without warning. Her cries for help echoed across the beach.

Sarah, walking their dog nearby, heard the screams and ran back, dropping the lead to wade into the churning sea. Eyewitnesses recounted how she reached agonizingly close to Grace before being overwhelmed. Mark Ratcliffe, a beloved Withernsea resident out for a stroll, joined three other passers-by in the rescue attempt. While two men escaped the water safely, Mark was pulled out unconscious and pronounced dead at the scene.

The response was immediate and overwhelming. Over 100 emergency personnel mobilized: Humberside Police, HM Coastguard, RNLI lifeboats from Withernsea, Bridlington, Skegness, and Hornsea Inshore Rescue, rescue helicopters, air ambulances, and fire crews. Lifeboat volunteers battled “horrendous” conditions, diving into the waves after spotting Grace clinging on, but the undertow proved too strong.

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Sarah’s body was recovered later that evening, entangled in sea defenses. Mark’s family paid tribute to him as “a true selfless hero with a heart of gold, who was so cruelly taken trying to save others.” They added: “So many lives are now shattered that you’re gone. You were loved by so many people… A loving husband, father, son, brother and the best grandad anybody could ever wish for.”

Humberside Police Chief Inspector Tom Stevens provided the latest update on January 6: “Our priority now is to find Grace, and we are doing everything we can to locate her.” Searches include shoreline patrols, drones covering from Withernsea to Easington, underwater teams, and consultations with oceanographers to track currents. CCTV and witness statements confirmed the sequence: Grace on the steps, swept by a wave, followed by immediate heroic interventions.

The small community of Withernsea is in mourning. Floral tributes pile high, messages reading “Forever in our hearts” and “Rest in peace, beautiful souls.” Local cafes opened as warm havens for rescuers and mourners. Town mayor Alexandra Camplin expressed “heartfelt condolences,” noting the town has been “touched by this dreadful tragedy.” Churches united for prayer vigils, offering solace amid the grief.

In Sutton-in-Ashfield, Sarah and Grace’s hometown, shock ripples through running clubs and netball teams. Friends like Julie Winter called Sarah “beautiful inside and out,” while Vicki Watson remembered Grace as a “legend on the court.” MP Lee Anderson said the town is “beyond devastated.”

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the North Sea’s unforgiving power in winter. Rogue waves can strike suddenly, even on days that appear deceptively calm. Authorities renew pleas: stay back from edges, especially with children, during high tides or storms.

Yet amid the heartbreak, stories of human kindness emerge. Strangers who tried to help, volunteers braving snow and gales, communities rallying with support. Joanne Gee’s words encapsulate the loss: a shining, positive light extinguished too soon, a mother’s boundless love, a stranger’s ultimate sacrifice.

As search teams press on through exhausting conditions, the nation holds its breath. Families, supported by specialist officers, cling to fading hope. The sea, vast and merciless, keeps its vigil. But in the flowers swaying on the promenade, in the tributes pouring in, and in memories shared tearfully, Sarah, Grace, and Mark live on—three beautiful souls whose story of love and bravery will not be forgotten.