A second body has been recovered from the sea off the coast of Withernsea in East Yorkshire as emergency services continue the search for a third missing person amid dangerous winter conditions.
Humberside Police confirmed that the body was recovered on Friday evening. Earlier in the day, a 67-year-old man was pulled from the water unconscious but later died despite the efforts of emergency crews.
Emergency Response Launched After Reports of People in Water
Emergency services were called to the Withernsea seafront shortly after 3pm following reports of people in difficulty in the sea. Ambulances, helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft were deployed as part of a large-scale rescue effort.
The search was suspended at around 12.30am on Saturday due to darkness and hazardous conditions, but remained under active coordination overnight. HM Coastguard said search operations would resume at first light, with specialist rescue teams returning to the area alongside partner agencies.
Search Resumes at Dawn Amid Harsh Conditions
Authorities confirmed that searches restarted at dawn on Saturday, with the coastguard, Yorkshire Ambulance Service and Humberside Fire and Rescue Service remaining on site. Police said the circumstances surrounding the two deaths were not believed to be suspicious.
Officers urged members of the public to stay away from the area while emergency services continued their work, stressing the need for safe and uninterrupted operations.
Witnesses Describe “Horrendous” Sea Conditions
Local resident and photographer Darrin Stevens, who lives close to the coastline, described the conditions as bitterly cold and extremely dangerous. He said waves were reaching nearly three metres and emergency helicopters were operating unusually close to homes because of the severity of the situation.
Stevens warned that the freezing sea temperatures meant anyone entering the water would have very limited survival time, adding that winter seas required extreme caution and experience.
RNLI Issues Cold Water Safety Warning
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution has renewed its warning about the dangers of cold water shock, particularly during winter months. Sea temperatures around the UK typically fall between 6C and 10C at this time of year, well below the threshold where cold water shock can be triggered.
Gareth Morrison, head of water safety at the RNLI, said people taking part in winter swims, festive dips or coastal activities should carefully assess conditions and understand their physical limits before entering the water.
Recent Fatal Incidents Raise Wider Safety Concerns
The incident comes days after a 51-year-old man died after entering the sea in Brighton on New Year’s Day. Sussex Police said the swimmer, who had travelled from Northamptonshire, was recovered from the water near Brighton Palace Pier but could not be saved.
Emergency services across the UK have repeatedly warned that winter sea conditions significantly increase the risk of fatal accidents, particularly during periods of cold weather and strong winds.
