On the CCTV footage of a local café, the terrifying moment when a teenage girl was swept out to sea by a massive wave was captured, according to the café’s owner, Paul Whitehead. Whitehead mentioned that a staff member from the Castle Café in Withernsea made an effort to rescue the girl but was tragically unsuccessful as she was pulled further out into the sea.
Tragically, two individuals lost their lives, and a third person is currently missing after a significant search and rescue operation was conducted following the incident off the East Yorkshire coast on Friday. Eyewitnesses recounted how several individuals bravely entered the water in an attempt to save the girl. A 67-year-old man was retrieved from the water but unfortunately passed away at the scene, with a second body discovered later in the evening, as reported by Humberside Police. The identity of the second person has not been disclosed.
Although HM Coastguard initiated a search for the missing third person at dawn the next day, the search was halted at 4pm on Saturday and will not be resumed.
The café’s CCTV footage captured the distressing moment when the girl was on a set of steps before being struck by a large wave and swept into the water, as recounted by Mr. Whitehead. He expressed his concerns about social media posts criticizing individuals for being in the water during severe conditions, emphasizing the potential distress it could bring to affected families.
Whitehead mentioned that two of his employees rushed to the scene upon realizing the situation, with one entering the water in an attempt to aid the girl. Despite being close to reaching the lifebelt, the rescue attempt was unsuccessful as the girl was swept away.
According to Whitehead, the girl had descended the steps to take photographs, prompting others to enter the water in an effort to assist her after being knocked off the steps by a wave. He also mentioned that his staff member involved in the rescue attempt was shaken but unharmed. Flowers have been placed at the scene in remembrance of the tragic incident.