Latest news with #Sandsend
Yahoo
03-08-2025
- Yahoo
Whitby Coastguard speak out on four deaths in emotional statement - read it in full
Volunteers who have been faced with four tragic deaths in less than a week in Whitby have said their hearts are with the families of those lost. Whitby Coastguard has been at the centre of the recovery of the bodies at the bottom of cliffs in and nearby Whitby over the past three days. The bodies of a man and a woman, understood to be in their 40s, were recovered from the beach on Wednesday, July 30. A day later, the body of a woman, who was in her 60s, was recovered from the beach, close to the Pavillion. Her injuries were consistent with a cliff fall. And yesterday, the body of another woman, who was in her 50s, was found by the car park in Sandsend, just along the coast from Whitby. READ MORE: Fourth body found on beach near Whitby in three days - full police statement READ MORE: Whitby deaths LIVE as four bodies found in beach tragedy - everything we know Follow live updates on the deaths in Whitby here The Coastguard, made up of dedicated volunteers, has now issued a statement on the tragedy. In it, they said they are supporting each other and remain "ready to serve" the local community. A spokesperson said: "As many of our local followers will be aware, Over the past few days, Whitby Coastguard Rescue Team has been called to several deeply tragic incidents in our local area. "Despite the very best efforts of all involved, sadly, not every outcome can be changed. Our heartfelt thoughts are with the families and loved ones affected — we hope they find strength, comfort, and support in the days ahead. "We'd like to extend our sincere thanks to our partner agencies who responded alongside us, and to every one of our Coastguard Rescue Officers who attended. These kinds of incidents are never easy, but they highlight the strength, professionalism, and compassion of our volunteers. Get all the latest and breaking news in Yorkshire by signing up to our newsletter here. "As a team, we support each other through the difficult days as well as the routine ones — and we remain here 24/7, ready to serve our coastline and community with care and commitment. "Remember, if you see anything that suggests someone may be in trouble at the coast- be it physically or mental health related, please do not hesitate to call 999 and ask for Coastguard. You are never wasting our time or resources, we are here to help." If you see someone in trouble or something you feel isn't right, call 999. North Yorkshire Police are investigating all four deaths, but stress they are not linked and are not being treated as suspicious.
Daily Mail
03-08-2025
- Daily Mail
Four dead in as many days at seaside beauty spot as woman's body is found beneath cliffs after couple and another lady were discovered
A fourth person has been found dead beneath the cliffs near Whitby in just a matter of days. Emergency services were alerted to the discovery of a body at Sandsend near Whitby Abbey just after 11am yesterday - where three others also died this week. Police later discovered the woman's body below the cliffs behind the main car park at Sandsend. Teams from the ambulance, police, coastguard, lifeboat and fire service all attended the scene. The woman's body was recovered at 12.55pm and the location was reopened to the public a few hours later following extensive enquiries. The woman's death follows the double tragedy of a man and woman - believed to be in their 40s - who plunged to their deaths from 200ft cliffs behind Whitby Abbey on Wednesday evening. The couple were seen heading towards the cliffs on a path on the North Yorkshire coast. Their bodies were recovered from the rocks below the 180ft cliffs on Wednesday evening following the apparent suicide pact. A day later on Thursday, a woman in her 60s was found dead by the cliffs near Whitby Pavilion. Police, ambulance, coastguard, mountain rescue and lifeboat teams were called after reports of the woman's death, which is believed to have involved a fall from the cliff. Due to the rocky location and high tide, mountain rescue assisted in recovering the woman's body to the lifeboat before being taken to the lifeboat house. North Yorkshire Police are not linking the third death, which is not believed to be suspicious, to the alleged double suicide, which the force continue to investigate. The area beside the historic 7th-century Abbey, which sits on the clifftop over the historic fishing port of Whitby, has been busy with people setting up for a vintage steam engine rally. North Yorkshire Police said of the latest tragedy that the woman's death is not being treated as suspicious. The force said in a statement: 'It has been confirmed that the woman is aged in her 50s and from the local area. 'Officers are supporting the woman's family at this difficult time. 'The death is not being treated as suspicious and a report is being prepared for the coroner.' Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has information that could assist officers have been urged to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 12250143585. The force underlined: 'There are no connections between this sudden death, the sudden deaths of a man and woman below Whitby Abbey on Wednesday 30 July or the woman below Whitby Abbey on Thursday 31 July.'
The Sun
02-08-2025
- The Sun
Tragedy as fourth body in three days found by bottom of cliffs at popular beauty spot
A FOURTH body has been found by the bottom of a beauty spot cliff in just three days. North Yorkshire Police's coastal team said the woman's body was found at Sandsend, near Whitby. 1 The force added that the woman was aged and in her 50s and from the local area. She was spotted at 11.01am by a passerby who called emergency services. The death is not being treated as suspicious and a report is being prepared for the coroner. The victim's family are being supported by specialist officers. It comes after cops yesterday launched an investigation into the sudden death of a woman in her 60s at a popular seaside beauty spot on July 31. While a day before, a man and a woman, both understood to be in their 40s, died after falling from the cliffs at Whitby. Her body was found below cliffs at Whitby Abbey in North Yorks., yesterday - hours after a couple allegedly leapt to their deaths in the same area. Her death comes after a man and a woman, both understood to be in their 40s, died after falling from the cliffs at Whitby on July 30, as well as another woman, aged in her 60s, who was found by the cliffs near the pavillion on July 31. The latter two victims reportedly chatted to fellow walkers before allegedly leaping to their deaths hand-in-hand from the same cliffs. Their bodies were recovered from the rocks below the drop on Wednesday evening following the apparent suicide pact. Police are not linking this latest death to the alleged double suicide, which North Yorkshire Police continue to investigate. Brian Vickers, 63, who was attending a nearby steam rally, said: 'I saw the helicopter hovering and came down to see what was going on. 'I was told from somebody who has been walking along the path that he had come across them shortly before and they did not appear to be in distress. 'It was as if they were just going for a walk, there was nothing strange about it. 'About a dozen people witnessed it. They turned to face the sea and held hands and jumped." A member of the public alerted the police at 7.16pm on Wednesday after spotting a man and woman on the rocks below.
Telegraph
26-05-2025
- Telegraph
This secluded North Yorkshire fishing village is perfect for a summer break
Back in the 80s, when the great British holiday was at its peak, I would spend my summers on Sandsend Beach with my sunburnt, trunk-clad father – who looked, then, like a young George Harrison (complete with prolific sideburns) – and mother, more charismatic than Sophia Loren. We were the cool, working-class family, camped out on the golden sand, with warm sarnies, half-melted ice-creams and a Thermos. We'd competitively build sandcastles, bury each other in the sand and chase the waves. As we were in Yorkshire, the sea was always 'refreshing'; there was a steady supply of blankets at hand; and raincoats were as obligatory as salty fish and chips wrapped in newspaper. Now, my children are the ones writing their names in this sand. But this year – as a full-time working mum in need of some peace and quiet – I decided to go it alone, checking into Sandsend's new luxury wellness retreat, Saltmoore, where I walked, spa-ed, ate well, and slept like a baby on crisp Egyptian cotton sheets. There's something a bit magical about this sleepy, romantically named coastal spot – and visiting feels a bit like walking into a Hayao Miyazaki animation. Here are all the reasons I think you'll like it too. It's easy to relax Why do I love Sandsend? For the most part – and despite its many attributes – it's for its chilled-out, family-friendly energy. There's not a lot to do apart from relaxing at the beachside, which makes it easy to switch off. There are cottage rentals, a couple of beachside cafés (one aptly named for modern times: Wits End Café), a fish and chip shop, and a pub. It's a place to tune out to the soundtrack of the sea. The petite, three-mile-long sweep of sand sits between tourist favourites Whitby and the tiny village of Lythe, in the Scarborough district of North Yorkshire and the civil parish of Lythe. The latter, set atop a steep hill, is not for the vertically challenged – but it does have a nice array of endearing little village characteristics: a grocery shop, a pub, a school and rows of pretty honey-stone cottages. Sandsend, meanwhile, is utterly unfussy – with traditional fishing village appeal, a secluded and peaceful sandy shoreline, sublime coastal walks, and a calm inlet perfectly designed for little ones who want to paddle. The food is unfussy, too. Just across the road, there's The Fish Cottage, a local fish and chip shop (well worth visiting for the terrace and the fish tacos), while a 12-minute drive brings you to the excellent Restaurant Number 20, in nearby Port Mulgrave. There's plenty to do outdoors Being on the coastal part of the Cleveland Way, there are various spectacular coastal hikes within easy reach. My family often goes to beautiful Runswick Bay, from where it's a ten-minute drive or just over two hours' to walk the incredible clifftop route from Sandsend to Runswick. Hop on the X4 bus back, or book The High Chapel for the night if you'd like to linger. You can also join part of The Cinder Track (21.7 miles) in Sandsend, a stunning coastal walking or cycling route from Scarborough to Whitby. It follows the old railway line, which closed in 1965. With Sandsend being on the fringe of the North York Moors National Park, allocate some days to go to the moors or forest – 8,000-acre Dalby Forest is a family favourite for walking, or cycling. In summer, the purple heather-draped moorland close to Sandsend is especially beautiful. …and convincing reasons to stay indoors, too If bolting about the wind-whipped countryside isn't your cup of tea, Sandsend offers plenty in the way of comfortable indoor options, too – not least at its newly opened wellness retreat, Saltmoore. Formerly the sprawling Raithwaite Estate, the hotel sits in 85 acres of woodland, sandwiched between the wild moors and the sea. Nature and wildlife are par for the course here; on arrival, I was greeted by a friendly deer, and woke to birdsong each morning. It's a soul-soothing place. It is, in fact, not one hotel but two – Saltmoore House and The Beach House, and The Sanctuary – a glassy spa and health suite with herbaceous Wildsmith treatments (which will soon include wild swimming), and three restaurants. At Saltmoore House, there are nods to the sea and moors throughout the design (the handiwork of Sapin Studio and its founder, Madeleine Sadler), while The Beach House is geared more towards families, with coastal design elements and outdoor tubs – great for when you've all just dashed back from the beach. The three restaurants (overseen by head chef, Adam Maddox, and chef consultant, Tommy Banks) make for another good reason to stay indoors (or reward yourself after one of the aforementioned hikes). There's the outstanding The Brasserie (where I had a superlative Whitby crab tart), a Wellness Café, and Calluna, an immersive fine-dining restaurant (which is not yet open, but I'm assured will be soon). The staff are all local (their knowledge of the area and wry Yorkshire humour made this immediately plain), and it's the sort of place you could happily book for a week without ever getting itchy feet. Essentials Rachel Everett was a guest of Saltmoore (01947 661 661), which has doubles from £300 per night, at both Saltmoore House and The Beach House, including breakfast. In late 2025, seven two- and three-bed lodges will also be opening.
