Tributes paid to sea death family

Kim Barrett pictured with daughter Aimee and son Luke

The family killed when a freak wave dragged them out to sea in Scarborough have been described as "loving and caring" by friends and neighbours.

Kim Barrett, 33, and her son Luke Greenwood, 11, from Leeds, were found by a helicopter crew but later pronounced dead at hospital.

The hunt for Ms Barrett's daughter Aimee Greenwood, 13, has been called off by the Humber Coastguard.

On Monday, the father of the two children visited North Bay.

The group had been for a day out in Whitby and had stopped in Scarborough on the way home.

It is thought Luke was dragged into the water and the rest of the group plunged in to try to help.

Ms Barrett's boyfriend Jason Johnson, 34, of Horsforth, Leeds, was with the family at the time and tried to rescue the trio with the help of a passer-by.

He survived the incident along with his eight-year-old son, Alec.

To lose one member of your family is bad enough, but to lose three isn't worth thinking about Family friend Carol Wilson

A spokeswoman for the Humberside Coastguard said normal beach patrols would continue to look for Aimee's body.

Friend Carol Wilson described Ms Barrett as "a really caring person".

She said: "I heard the news last night and I'm just devastated. To lose one member of your family is bad enough, but to lose three isn't worth thinking about."

She said Luke was a pupil at St Chad's Primary School and Aimee had attended Lawnswood School.

"Luke was really starting to grow up. He would do anything for you and sometimes he would knock on your door and say he wanted a hug.

"Aimee was really mature for her age and was a really caring little girl."

Mrs Wilson's daughter Jamie, 21, said: "I was worried when she didn't come back last night and was sending her text messages and I put a note through her door. I can't believe it."

Neighbour Jim Duck said: "Kim was a lovely lady and they were lovely kids," he said.

The road running along the town's North Bay remained sealed off on Monday.