Two men remain missing after getting into difficulty during a festive swim
A Christmas tradition became a frantic lifesaving operation as a swimmer describes the harrowing conditions that saw two men vanish beneath the waves.
Crowds had gathered at local beaches for their customary Christmas Day dips when a group of swimmers encountered rough waters. Many were pulled ashore by alert onlookers, while an extensive emergency operation failed to trace two participants who disappeared amid treacherous currents.
The incident took place at Budleigh Salterton on Christmas Day, with eyewitnesses describing towering 6ft swells and gale-force winds of up to 65mph during a Met Office yellow weather alert.
Mike Brown, amongst those requiring rescue, admitted the elements were amongst the most brutal he’d faced in the water, reports Devon Live.
“It was much worse conditions than normal and some of the worst conditions I’ve ever tried to swim in,” Mike said in an interview with BBC after being rescued, adding “With hindsight it was clearly a mistake to try and get in.”
Mike recounted how two brave locals plunged into the sea fully clothed to reach him.
Following a failed first rescue bid when a surge toppled one of them, the two men successfully reached Mike as he battled to remain upright.
“they took an arm each and dragged me to safety and as quick as it had started, it was over, I was on the beach and I was safe.”
He’s now determined to track down his rescuers to express his gratitude for their courage. Sadly, the day ended in tragedy for the families of two men, one in his 40s and another in his 60s, who are still missing.
The older man has been identified by his family as local antiques dealer Matthew Upham. It’s believed that the younger man may have been trying to assist Matthew after he was swept out to sea and “dragged down the beach.”
Matthew, 63, who ran Matthew Upham Antiques, was described by his family as “deeply loved”. They expressed their heartbreak over the loss and thanked the emergency services for their “tireless efforts and professionalism.”
The search operation involved RNLI lifeboats, three coastguard helicopters, and land-based rescue teams who worked in “punishing conditions” throughout Wednesday, December 25. HM Coastguard called off the offshore search at 5pm that day, but Devon and Cornwall Police continue with land-based investigations.
Several other swimmers were assessed by paramedics, and one individual was taken to Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Following the incident, police advised the public not to enter the water for Boxing Day swims.
