First picture of man who died trying to save teenager in freezing sea

A ‘selfless hero’ who died trying to help two people in freezing waters off the West Yorkshire coast has been named and pictured.

Mark Ratcliffe, 67, died while attempting to rescue a teenage girl who was ‘washed away’ at the beach in Withernsea on Friday afternoon.

Paying tribute to Mark, his family said: ‘A true selfless hero with a heart of gold, who was so cruelly taken trying to save others.

‘So many lives are now shattered that you’re gone. 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.’

The body of a 45-year-old woman was also recovered.

An ‘extensive’ search for a third missing person resumed on Saturday morning but was stood down at around 4pm.

Humberside Police said residents will continue to see an increased police presence around Withernsea as the search continues.

Paul Whitehead, owner of Castle Cafe on the promenade, told The Telegraph that his staff had tried to help the girl, including one who threw her a life ring.

‘Around 3pm a girl, around 15 years old, went down the Pier Towers concrete steps and the seas are so rough, she got washed away,’ he told the newspaper.

‘Her parents then went down to try and help her, as did one of my staff, who grabbed a life ring.

‘The young girl had hold of the ring but was hit by a wave and couldn’t hold on and went under.

‘Four local men who were on the promenade then also went down to help the parents.’

Karen Higgs, 66, told the paper the girl was swept out by the waves.

‘I was by the cafe and this woman was running up the front towards the Pier Towers, shouting “she’s in the water, she’s in the water”,’ Ms Higgs told the newspaper.

‘I looked and I went across and there was somebody in the water… going in and out with the waves.

‘Someone threw a safety ring in for her to catch. She was going out as the ring went in and it went and she never tried to catch it. We were all shouting at her to catch it, catch it. She just didn’t.’

Police said circumstances surrounding both deaths are not believed to be suspicious.

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