A major search and rescue operation on the Yorkshire coast has ended in tragedy, with two people confirmed dead and a third person still missing after they got into difficulty in the sea off Withernsea.
Horrendous Conditions Hamper Rescue
Emergency services were scrambled to the seaside town shortly after 3:15pm on Friday, 2 January 2026, following reports of a number of people in distress in the water. The incident unfolded amid what rescuers described as 'horrendous conditions', with large breaking waves, snow, and freezing temperatures battering the coast.
The multi-agency response involved over 100 personnel from HM Coastguard, Humberside Police, Humberside Fire and Rescue, and Yorkshire Ambulance Service. A Coastguard helicopter, fixed-wing aircraft, and lifeboats from Withernsea, Bridlington, and Hornsea were all deployed in a desperate bid to locate those in trouble.
Double Tragedy Unfolds
Despite the extensive efforts, a 67-year-old man was pulled from the water unconscious shortly before 10pm and pronounced dead at the scene. Just over an hour later, at around 11:30pm, Humberside Police confirmed a second body had been recovered. The circumstances surrounding both deaths are not believed to be suspicious.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene that began when a teenage girl, estimated to be around 15 years old, was reportedly caught by a large wave near Pier Towers. Onlookers, including the girl's parents and four men from the promenade, attempted a rescue using a safety ring.
Eyewitness Karen Higgs told reporters that people were shouting for the girl to grab the ring, but she failed to catch it. Paul Whitehead, owner of the nearby Castle Cafe, stated the girl initially had hold of the ring but was hit by another powerful wave and lost her grip before being swept under.
Searches for a third person, who was also believed to have entered the water, continued through the night. The operation was temporarily stood down at 12:30am on Saturday due to the dangerous conditions before resuming at 6:30am amid snow flurries.
Search Concluded Amid Dangerous Seas
After a full day of intensive shoreline searches, HM Coastguard made the difficult decision to end the operation at 4pm on Saturday, 3 January. In a statement, they confirmed: 'After resuming shoreline searches in Withernsea for one missing person today, HM Coastguard stood down its extensive search effort this afternoon.'
The tragedy occurred just one day after the annual New Year's Day swim event in the area was cancelled due to dangerously large waves. A yellow weather warning for snow and ice was also in place along the Yorkshire coast at the time.
This incident follows another coastal tragedy just hours earlier, where a man in his 50s died after getting into difficulty at Brighton beach on New Year's Day. Authorities have reiterated warnings about the dangers of entering the sea during severe weather, urging the public to heed safety advice and avoid taking unnecessary risks.
