A man who lost his life attempting to rescue others from the sea has been named as Mark Ratcliffe, as tributes pour in describing him as a ‘true hero’.
The 67-year-old died after entering the water during an incident off the coast at Withernsea on Friday afternoon.
Emergency services were called at just after 3pm, triggering a major rescue operation involving a helicopter, air ambulance and RNLI crews from Withernsea, Bridlington and Hornsea Inshore Rescue.
Despite desperate efforts, Mr Ratcliffe was pulled from the water unconscious and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Humberside Police.
In a heartbreaking tribute, his family said he had been ‘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, and we will all miss you forever.
‘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 xxx’
A man who died trying to save two people from the sea in East Yorkshire has been named as Mark Ratcliffe
Eyewitnesses reported seeing flashing blue lights across the promenade
HM Coastguard and Humberside Police were among the services called to the scene
His son added on a post on social media: ‘A special thank you to the RNLI, HM coastguards and all the emergency services who did all they could and worked tirelessly and relentlessly in the awful weather conditions. Our thoughts go out to the other lives and families affected in this awful tragedy.
‘Bye Dad I miss you and I will never forget the true hero and role model you were.
‘I will continue to make you proud. Love you forever.’
Police later confirmed that a second body recovered from the sea on Friday evening was that of a 45-year-old woman. Officers have continued searching for one remaining missing person.
The extensive search operation was paused at 12:30am on Saturday before resuming at first light. It was ultimately stood down at 4pm.
Witnesses claim a teenage girl was caught by a large wave, near Pier Towers, before she was overwhelmed by the sea, sparking scenes of panic as people tried to rescue her.
A police spokesperson said: ‘A man who died trying to help two people stuck in the sea in Withernsea on Friday, 2 January has been named by family as 67-year-old Mark Ratcliffe.
‘His family continue to be supported by specially trained officers.’
A spokesperson for Humberside Police said earlier: ‘During the initial searches, emergency services recovered an unconscious man from the water. Despite the best efforts we can confirm a 67-year-old man died a short time later at the scene.
‘The circumstances around his death are not thought to be suspicious. Searches are still ongoing. Residents will continue to see an increased police presence in and around the area as the search continues.
‘We would ask people to please avoid the area to allow emergency services to work efficiently and safely.’
HM Coastguard deployed a helicopter to the scene following reports of people getting into difficulty in the water
The major rescue operation has pulled together all emergency services in the area
They later added: ‘We can now confirm that earlier this evening (Friday, 2 January 2026) a second body was recovered from the sea. The circumstances are not believed to be suspicious.
‘Humberside Police officers along with HM Coastguard, Yorkshire Ambulance Service and Humberside Fire & Rescue, remain in the area as searches continue for one more person who entered the water this afternoon.’
A spokesman for HM Coastguard said: ‘HM Coastguard has been searching for two missing people in the water off Withernsea this afternoon and evening (2 January).
‘First alerted to reports of people in difficulty in the water at around 3.10pm, assets sent to the scene included an HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft, Coastguard Rescue Teams, the RNLI and Hornsea Inshore Rescue, alongside Humberside Police, Yorkshire Ambulance Service and Humberside Fire and Rescue.
‘After extensive shoreline and offshore searches, the search was stood down at around half past midnight (12.30am, 3 January). Efforts will resume at first light, when coastguard rescue teams along with partner agencies will be sent to conduct additional searches of the area.’
