A man has died after being pulled from the sea by emergency services during a major search and rescue operation for people who got into difficulty off the East Yorkshire coast, police have said.
Emergency services raced to Withernsea seafront following reports of swimmers in trouble at 3.10pm on Friday.
Coastguard helicopters and RNLI lifeboats were scrambled alongside paramedics, police and firefighters in the dramatic rescue effort.
In an update on Friday, Humberside Police said an unconscious 67-year-old man was recovered from the water. He later died at the scene, the force said.
Searches are ongoing, and it is not clear how many people remain in the water. Earlier, HM Coastguard said it was looking for two people.
In a statement, police said: "During the initial searches, emergency services recovered an unconscious man from the water.
"Despite the best efforts, we can confirm a 67-year-old man died a short time later at the scene.
"The circumstances around his death are not thought to be suspicious.
"Searches are still ongoing. Residents will continue to see an increased police presence in and around the area as the search continues.
"We would ask people to please avoid the area to allow emergency services to work efficiently and safely."
Humberside Fire and Rescue confirmed multiple emergency vehicles were at the scene and members of the public have been urged to stay away from the promenade.
In a post on social media, MP for Beverley and Holderness Graham Stuart said the incident was "terrible news", adding "thoughts and prayers with everybody at this difficult time".
Local charity Hornsea Inshore Rescue team said on Facebook that it had been called out to Withernsea but had been "unable to launch the lifeboat due to horrendous conditions and three-metre waves".
A later post from the team said it had "launched on service".
The search comes as a Met Office a yellow warning for snow and ice for the area is in place until the end of Saturday.
The alarm was raised as freezing temperatures gripped the seaside town and treacherous three-metre waves pounded the coast.
An HM Coastguard spokesman said search and rescue helicopters and a fixed-wing aircraft had been deployed along with rescue teams from Withernsea, Hornsea and Hull.
He added: "The RNLI's inshore lifeboat from Withernsea and all-weather lifeboat from Bridlington are assisting, as well as Humber Rescue's inshore lifeboat.
"Yorkshire Ambulance Service has been sent as well as an air ambulance. Humberside Police and Humberside Fire and Rescue are also in attendance."
Hornsea Inshore Rescue revealed on Facebook that conditions were so dangerous they couldn't even launch their own lifeboat.
The team said: "Called out, unable to launch [a] lifeboat due to horrendous conditions and three metre waves breaking on our slipway which would knock the tractor and trailer sideways off the ramp.
"Our 4x4 vehicle [is] en route to Withernsea with a casualty care crew."
