The body of the 15-year-old Nottinghamshire girl was recovered on January 15, 13 days after she disappeared into the sea at Withernsea
An inquest has opened into the tragic death of a 15-year-old girl who was swept out to sea in Withernsea. Grace Keeling’s body was found on Thursday, January 15, the hearing was told.
Grace had vanished beneath the waters 13 days earlier, sparking an extensive multi-agency rescue mission on Friday, January 2. Lorraine Harris, area coroner for Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire, explained that part of the inquest’s remit would involve determining a suitable time of death for Grace, alongside establishing the cause of death.
Ms Harris confirmed Grace Keeling was born on August 19, 2010. She was from Sutton-on-Ashfield in Nottinghamshire.
According to an earlier statement, Humberside Police received reports of the incident at Central Promenade in Withernsea at 3.15pm on January 2. Following examination of CCTV material and witness interviews, officers understood Grace and a companion were positioned close to the rocks along the seafront.
She was “believed to have fallen into the water after being swept by a wave”. Authorities confirmed that officers were dispatched alongside coastguard, ambulance and fire brigade personnel, reports Hull Live.
In a desperate bid to rescue Grace, her mother, Sarah Keeling, 45, and Withernsea local Mark Ratcliffe, 67, also entered the sea. The date of their deaths was recorded as January 2, a previous inquest hearing was informed.
Mr Ratcliffe was pulled unconscious from the water during the initial search efforts. He was declared dead at the scene shortly afterwards, police confirmed.
Later that evening, the coastguard discovered Mrs Keeling’s body. Two additional men who had gone into the water attempting to assist managed to get out unharmed, according to police.
Mr Ratcliffe’s relatives have honoured his memory, calling him a “true selfless hero with a heart of gold”.
No family representatives were present at Hull Coroner’s Court. Ms Harris postponed all three inquests to a later date.
