The search for a third individual has been officially suspended following the tragic drowning of two people off the Yorkshire coast, amid what authorities described as “horrendous conditions.”
Emergency services were urgently dispatched to Withernsea on Friday afternoon after reports emerged of several individuals struggling in the water. Witnesses recounted a harrowing scene where a teenage girl was swept away by a massive wave near Pier Towers, leading to a chaotic and desperate attempt to rescue her from the sea.
As the situation unfolded, a significant rescue effort was mounted. However, Humberside Police reported that a 67-year-old man, who was found unconscious in the water shortly before 10 p.m., unfortunately did not survive, passing away soon after being pulled from the sea.
As night fell, authorities confirmed a second fatality just before 11:30 p.m. Meanwhile, efforts continued through the night and into Saturday to locate one more person believed to have entered the water.
More than 100 emergency personnel were involved in the extensive search operation. Although the search for the third person was paused at 12:30 a.m. on Saturday, it resumed at 6:30 a.m. despite challenging conditions characterized by snowfall and freezing temperatures.
The rescue mission involved more than 100 members of the emergency services, with rescuers standing down their search for the third person at 12.30am on Saturday before resuming at 6.30am amid a flurry of snow and freezing temperatures.
At 4pm, HM Coastguard confirmed the search had ended.
In a statement, HM Coastguard said: ‘After resuming shoreline searches in Withernsea for one missing person today, 3 January, HM Coastguard stood down its extensive search effort this afternoon.’
The double tragedy came just hours after a man in his 50s died after getting into difficulty at Brighton beach on New Year’s Day.
The HM Coastguard helicopter hovers above the sea as part of the rescue operation. It called off the search for a third missing person on Saturday afternoon
HM Coastguard said searches were stood down at around 12.30am today and resumed at 6.30am
Emergency services were called to Withernsea following a ‘number of people in difficulty in the water’ on Friday afternoon
HM Coastguard, Yorkshire Ambulance Service, Humberside Police, and Humberside Fire and Rescue all scrambled crews to Withernsea at around 3.15pm to try and rescue those in the freezing sea.
The incident came just one day after people were not allowed to enter the sea for the annual New Year’s Day swim event due to large breaking waves, and amid a yellow weather warning for snow and ice on the Yorkshire coast.
An eyewitness, Karen Higgs, claimed a teenage girl had fallen into the sea.
She told The Telegraph people had attempted to pull her back to safety with a safety ring, but that she ‘never tried to catch it’.
‘We were all shouting at her to catch it, catch it’, she said. ‘She just didn’t. Then she was going out further. Every time she went out she came in harder.
Paul Whitehead, the owner of Castle Cafe on the promenade, told The Telegraph the sea was so rough that the girl, who he estimated to be around 15 years old, ‘got washed away’.
He added that four men who were on the promenade went to help, along with the girl’s parents.
‘The young girl had hold of the ring but was hit by a wave and couldn’t hold on and went under,’ he said.
HM Coastguard, Yorkshire Ambulance Service, Humberside Police, and Humberside Fire and Rescue all scrambled crews to Withernsea at around 3.15pm to try and rescue those in the freezing sea
A spokesperson for Humberside Police said last night: ‘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.’
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.’
The Coastguard said in an earlier statement: ‘HM Coastguard is responding to reports made at about 3.10pm on January 2 of a number of people in difficulty in the water at Withernsea.
‘An HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft have been sent as well as Coastguard Rescue Teams from Withernsea, Hornsea and Hull.
‘The RNLI’s inshore lifeboat from Withernsea and all-weather lifeboat from Bridlington are assisting, as well as Hornsea Inshore Rescue.
‘Yorkshire Ambulance Service has been sent as well as an air ambulance. Humberside Police and Humberside Fire and Rescue are also in attendance.’
