Two people have died following a major search and rescue operation off the east Yorkshire coast on Friday. Emergency services continue to search for a third individual who entered the water at Withernsea.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Humberside Police confirmed that a 67-year-old man was pulled from the water unconscious and pronounced dead at the scene. A second body was recovered from the sea on Friday evening. Police have not yet released details regarding the gender or age of the second individual, but stated that the circumstances are not considered suspicious.
The operation involved a coordinated effort from HM Coastguard, including teams from Hull, Withernsea, Hornsea, and Bridlington, as well as a rescue helicopter, an air ambulance, and RNLI crews. The search was temporarily paused around 00:30 GMT on Saturday before resuming at first light.
Challenging Conditions
Conditions at the scene were described as “horrendous” by BBC reporter Jessica Lane, who is reporting live from Withernsea. A yellow warning for snow and ice is currently in effect for the east coast of England, including the search area, and remained in place until 23:49 GMT on Saturday. Lane reported that snow began falling shortly after sunrise, creating difficult conditions for search teams.
“The sea is rough with waves crashing above the sea wall and members of the coastguard were walking along the promenade, scanning the rocks below,” Lane reported. “There’s a good few inches [of snow] and that is all going to make the search here even harder.”
Police have stated that residents can expect to see an increased police presence in the area as the search continues and are asking the public to avoid the area to allow emergency services to work efficiently.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time did the incident begin?
The incident was first reported at 15:10 GMT on Friday, prompting the initial response from HM Coastguard.
Which emergency services were involved?
The search and rescue operation involved HM Coastguard, a rescue helicopter, an air ambulance, RNLI crews from Withernsea, Bridlington, and Hornsea Inshore Rescue, as well as Humberside Police, Yorkshire Ambulance, and Humberside Fire and Rescue.
What are the current weather conditions?
Snow and ice warnings are in place across much of the UK, including the east coast of England. At Withernsea, snow began falling shortly after first light on Saturday, with “bitterly cold and windy” conditions and waves crashing over the sea wall.
As the search continues, it remains to be seen whether the missing individual will be located. The ongoing operation highlights the dedication of emergency services working in challenging conditions, and the potential for further developments as the search progresses.
