Bravery Amidst Tragedy: Volunteer Rescue Services Battle "Awful Conditions" in Withernsea Search

Volunteer rescue crews from across the East Riding and beyond faced "truly awful conditions" this weekend as they fought to save lives off the coast of Withernsea.

The multi-agency operation, which began on Friday afternoon, saw local volunteers push themselves to the limit in what has been described by the RNLI as a "very tragic incident".

The emergency began at approximately 3:30 pm on Friday, 2 January, when HM Coastguard alerted RNLI volunteers from Withernsea, Bridlington and Skegness to reports of several people in difficulty in the water. They were soon joined by Hornsea Inshore Rescue, whose crew faced an immediate and harrowing challenge. According to the organisation, "extremely large breaking waves" on the launch ramp initially prevented their boat from entering the water. While a casualty care crew was dispatched by land to assist, the boat crew eventually made the decision to launch into "extremely difficult, demanding sea conditions" to join the search.

The Hornsea team said:

 "An assessment was made of the launch conditions and, due to extremely large breaking waves on the launch ramp, we couldn’t launch immediately. A casualty care crew was dispatched to Withernsea to assist with the incident.

Eventually although still extremely difficult, demanding sea conditions, a decision was made that we would be able to safely launch the boat at this time. A crew of four proceeded to the scene and assisted with the search along with RNLI, the Coastguard and other SAR assets until being stood down after many search patterns had been carried out.

The crew returned to station and a safe but challenging recovery to the trailer was made."

The environment at sea was unforgiving. RNLI Bridlington Lifeboats reported that crews battled three-metre waves, strong winds, and "very cold" air temperatures. Despite these "truly remarkable and selfless" efforts, the search was a complex one, involving the recovery of two casualties while teams continued to scour the water for a third missing person.

The dedication of the volunteers extended well into the night and the following day. After the initial search was stood down at 12:30 am on Saturday, crews returned at first light to resume the operation. On Saturday, the search moved to the shoreline, where volunteers from Withernsea conducted foot patrols in "challenging snow conditions" before the operation was officially stood down by the Coastguard at 4:00 pm.

In the aftermath of the search, the local rescue community has come together to support those affected. Hornsea Inshore Rescue expressed their "thoughts and love" to the families and friends of those involved—named as Mark, Sarah, and Grace—stating, "You are all in our thoughts".

The RNLI also took the opportunity to recognise the immense professionalism and coordination shown by the various agencies involved, including:

• HM Coastguard search and rescue teams from Withernsea, Hornsea, and Hull.
• Yorkshire Ambulance Service.
• Humberside Police and Humberside Fire and Rescue.

A spokesperson for the RNLI acknowledged the "dedication of our volunteers, who spent many hours at sea in challenging conditions" and thanked members of the public who provided support during the "prolonged and demanding response" saying:

"We would like to thank members of the public who assisted and supported the emergency services, and recognise the professionalism, coordination and commitment shown by all agencies during a prolonged and demanding response.

We’d also like to acknowledge the dedication of our volunteers, who spent many hours at sea in challenging conditions, and all those who supported back at the stations.

This is a very tragic incident and our thoughts are with the families, friends and all those impacted."

Hornsea Inshore Rescue Team said:

"We'd like to send our thoughts and love to all involved in such a tragic incident, to all the friends and families of Mark, Sarah and Grace at this very sad time, you are all in our thoughts.

To all of the emergency services involved doing all they could in truly awful conditions, and we'd especially like to send our thoughts to our friends and colleagues at RNLI Withernsea , your efforts that evening were truly remarkable and selfless."

Councillor Anne Handley, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, added her thanks to the rescue teams saying

"Following the tragic incident at Withernsea over the weekend, on behalf of East Riding of Yorkshire Council I would like to thank all of those who worked tirelessly on the search and rescue effort including HM Coastguard, the RNLI, Coastguard Rescue Teams from Bridlington, Hornsea, Hull, Skegness and Withernsea, Humberside Police, Humberside Fire and Rescue and Yorkshire Ambulance Service.

"I would also like to thank Withernsea Town Council and the local businesses who supported those involved in the search and rescue operation.
"Our thoughts are with the friends and families of those involved and all those affected."