The second man who died during a Christmas Day swim has been named, as tributes were paid to the ‘deeply respected’ teacher
A well-loved PE teacher has been named as the victim of the Christmas Day swim tragedy.
Tom Johnson, 47, died alongside antiques dealer Matthew Upham, 63, after getting into difficulty during a swim in Budleigh Salterton on December 25, 2025. He was a dad of two and a beloved PE teacher, who has been described as an “inspirational teacher and a deeply respected colleague”. Mr Johnson taught at New Hall in Boreham, Essex, and it is believed he lived in Chelmsford.
A GoFundMe was set up to raise money for his wife and children following his tragic death. It said: “He brought energy, kindness, and humour to everything he did, and he will be greatly missed by the New Hall community.
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Tom’s wife, their two children, and the wider Johnson family at this incredibly difficult time.”
At the time of reporting, over £30,000 has been raised for Mr Johnson’s family.
This is a Breaking News story. You’ll be more likely to see our stories when any big news breaks in future by simply by clicking this link. You can also join The Mirror’s WhatsApp Community or follow us on Google News, Flipboard, Apple News, TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads – or visit The Mirror homepage.