A mother and her teenage daughter who were swept out to sea have been named and pictured.
Grace Keeling, 15, was enjoying the waves at Withernsea, Yorkshire, on Friday afternoon when she got into difficulty in the water.
Her mother Sarah Keeling, 45, bravely waded into the sea trying to reach for Grace after spotting her calling out for help.
She was joined by Good Samaritan Mark Ratcliffe, 67, a member of the public who heroically tried to assist with the rescue.
The bodies of Ms Keeling and Mr Ratcliffe were recovered from the freezing water on Friday evening, while searches for Grace are ongoing.
Today, the mother and daughter were named and pictured for the first time since the tragedy took place.
Mr Ratcliffe’s family described him as a ‘true selfless hero’ after he died trying to stop the pair being swept out to sea.
He selflessly braved 12ft waves after seeing the teenager get into difficulty in the water.
Mother and daughter Sarah Keeling, 45, and 15-year-old Grace Keeling, were swept out to sea at Withernsea, Yorkshire, on Friday
Mark Ratcliffe, 67, a member of the public who tried to assist with the rescue, also died
Emergency services were called to Withernsea following a ‘number of people in difficulty in the water’ on Friday afternoon
Mr Ratcliffe was recovered from the water unconscious shortly before 10pm on Friday and died soon after, Humberside Police said.
The two adults came within inches of saving the teen, it is understood.
In a heartbreaking tribute to Mr Ratcliffe, his family said: ‘A true selfless hero with a heart of gold, who was so cruelly taken trying to save others.
‘So many lives are now shattered that you’re gone. You were loved by so many people, and we will all miss you forever.
‘A loving husband, father, son, brother and the best grandad anybody could ever wish for. Sleep tight, we love you, we miss you.’
Cafe owner Paul Whitehead, 60, told how his staff had tried to help by throwing a life ring to the girl.
The area had been cordoned off while emergency services launched their search operation
The HM Coastguard helicopter hovers above the sea as part of the rescue operation
Mr Whitehead said: ‘This was a tragic accident. The girl was enjoying the spectacle of the waves, but the sea was so rough she got swept away by the force of the water.
‘One of my staff tried to help her with a life ring. The girl grabbed the ring, but the sea was so rough she couldn’t hold on.’
Humberside Police previously confirmed that two bodies were pulled from the water. They called off their search for the girl on Saturday night after being hampered by blizzards and sub–zero temperatures.
The tragedy came hours after a 51–year–old from Kettering died after getting into difficulty in the sea at Brighton on New Year’s Day.
