A major multi-agency rescue operation was launched on the Yorkshire coast this afternoon after reports that a number of people were in difficulty in the freezing North Sea.
Emergency Services Swarm Withernsea Coastline
The incident occurred at the popular seaside spot of Withernsea in the East Riding of Yorkshire. The first emergency calls came in at around 3:10 pm on January 2, 2026, reporting swimmers in distress.
Emergency crews descended on the coastline, with a huge presence of blue lights reported by locals. A spokesperson for HM Coastguard confirmed they were coordinating the response to the incident.
Horrendous Conditions Hamper Rescue Efforts
Rescue teams faced extremely challenging conditions. Hornsea Inshore Rescue described the situation as "horrendous" in a social media update, stating they were unable to launch their lifeboat due to three-metre waves breaking on their slipway.
The service warned the powerful waves were strong enough to knock their tractor and trailer sideways off the ramp. Instead, they dispatched a 4x4 vehicle with a casualty care crew to the scene at Withernsea.
Local resident Darrin Stevens told the BBC the weather by the beach was "bitter" and "freezing," adding, "It's not a good place to be, in the sea."
Full-Scale Search and Rescue Deployment
The large-scale operation involves a significant number of emergency assets. The following teams and resources are involved:
- A search and rescue helicopter and a fixed-wing aircraft.
- Coastguard Rescue Teams from Withernsea, Hornsea, and Hull.
- The RNLI's inshore lifeboat from Withernsea and all-weather lifeboat from Bridlington.
- Hornsea Inshore Rescue.
- Yorkshire Ambulance Service, including an air ambulance.
- Humberside Police.
- Humberside Fire and Rescue Service.
Humberside Fire and Rescue has asked residents and visitors to avoid the central promenade area of Withernsea to allow emergency vehicles clear access. A spokesperson urged people to take care as vehicles would be moving rapidly through the zone.
The search for those reported missing continues as emergency services battle the dangerous sea conditions.
