Coroner’s inquest opens into Withernsea sea deaths

An inquest has opened into the deaths of two people who died after being swept away by the sea in Withernsea.

Mark Ratcliffe, 67, entered the water in an attempt to try to save Sarah Keeling, 45, and her daughter Grace Keeling, 15, on 2 January.

Ratcliffe, who was pulled unconscious from the water during the initial search, died at the scene. Sarah’s body was found later that evening, with police still searching for Grace.

A hearing at Hull Coroner’s Court was opened and adjourned by Lorraine Harris, Area Coroner for Hull and East Yorkshire.

The brief hearing was told that the results of a preliminary post mortem examination found Keeling died from drowning and head and neck injuries.

She came from Sutton in Ashfield in Nottinghamshire and worked in sales.

Ratcliffe, who was a retired warehouse worker and lived in Withernsea, died from drowning and chest injuries. He was originally from Bradford, the court heard.

The inquest was adjourned to a later date.