A 67-year-old grandfather has been hailed a 'selfless hero' after he tragically drowned while attempting to rescue two people from treacherous seas off the East Yorkshire coast.
A Desperate Attempt to Save Lives
Mark Ratcliffe was pulled unconscious from the water at Withernsea on Friday, 2 January 2026, and was later confirmed to have died. The incident began shortly after 3pm when authorities received an alert that three people were in difficulty in the water.
In a heartfelt tribute, his devastated family described him as a man with a 'heart of gold' who was 'cruelly taken' while trying to help others. They said his loss has left countless lives shattered.
Ongoing Search and Further Tragedy
The rescue operation, which involved multiple agencies battling freezing conditions, also recovered the body of a 45-year-old woman late on Friday evening. HM Coastguard stood down its extensive search for a third missing person at 4pm on Saturday, 3 January, but Humberside Police confirmed operations would continue.
"Residents will continue to see an increased police presence in and around the area as officers continue to search for the one remaining missing person," a police statement said.
Family's Tribute to a 'Best Grandad'
Mr Ratcliffe's family remembered him as a devoted family man. "A true selfless hero with a heart of gold, who was so cruelly taken trying to save others," they stated. "You were the best grandad anybody could ever wish for. Sleep tight, we love you, we miss you."
The rescue effort mobilised local coastguard and RNLI teams, Yorkshire Ambulance Service, an air ambulance, Humberside Police, and Humberside Fire and Rescue. Rescuers faced perilous conditions, with air temperatures feeling as low as -4C and waves reaching three metres high.
The dangerous sea state had earlier prompted Hornsea Inshore Rescue, a volunteer group, to cancel a planned New Year's Day swim, warning conditions were not suitable for entering the water. This tragedy follows the death of a 51-year-old man in Brighton after he got into difficulty in the water.
