A teenage girl was swept away by a huge wave on steps near Pier Towers at Withernsea in East Yorkshire on Friday
Tom Kershaw Content Editor and Kirstie McCrum
11:09, 04 Jan 2026
People have been continuing to lay flowers at Pier Towers, Withernsea(Image: Donna Clifford/Hull Live)
A mum and a passerby died tragically whilst trying to save a teenage girl who was dragged away by fierce waters as she watched waves batter a coastline.
Two bodies were recovered from the freezing sea at Withernsea after Friday’s (January 2) “tragic accident”. Although searches for the girl continued on Saturday, they were subsequently called off.
Witnesses described how the girl, around 15 years old, was struck by a massive wave on steps close to Pier Towers at the coastal town before being swallowed by the choppy waters.
It’s understood that her mum and uncle jumped into the sea attempting to reach her but got into difficulty themselves. The uncle is thought to have made it out alive, according to Mail Online.
But a 67 year old Good Samaritan who joined the rescue bid was also dragged under. He was hauled from the water unconscious just before 10pm and tragically died shortly afterwards, Humberside Police confirmed, reports Yorkshire Live.
Café owner Paul Whitehead, 60, described how his workers tried to help by throwing a life ring to the girl.
Police remained at the scene into the weekend
Mr Whitehead said: “This was a tragic accident. The girl was enjoying the spectacle of the waves, but the sea was so rough she got swept away by the force of the water.
“One of my staff tried to help her with a life ring. The girl grabbed the ring, but the sea was so rough she couldn’t hold on.”
Humberside Police have confirmed the recovery of two bodies from the water. Their search for the girl was called off last night due to severe snowstorms and freezing temperatures impeding their efforts.