The family of Matthew Upham, one of two men missing after a Christmas Day swim in Budleigh Salterton, Devon, has paid tribute to him, describing him as “deeply loved and forever missed”. The coastguard called off the search at 5pm on Christmas Day, with police continuing onshore inquiries.
Emergency services were alerted at 10.25am on Christmas Day after concerns were raised for people in the water. Several swimmers were brought safely to shore, but two men—Upham, in his 40s, and a second man in his 60s—could not be found. Two people were checked by paramedics, and one was taken to hospital as a precaution.
In a statement on Upham’s antiques business Instagram account, his family expressed heartbreak and thanked the RNLI and coastguard for their efforts. They asked for privacy as they grieve. Upham, a Budleigh Salterton resident, ran Matthew Upham Antiques in the town.
On Boxing Day, police confirmed both men were still missing. A police spokesperson said inquiries were ongoing and a police presence remained at the scene. The coastguard search, involving rescue teams, lifeboats, and helicopters, was stood down at 5pm on Christmas Day after extensive searches.
Det Supt Hayley Costar of Devon and Cornwall Police described the incident as “truly tragic” and urged people not to swim on Boxing Day despite no official weather warnings. Resident Julia Robb recalled a “very cold and windy” day with 6ft waves, saying the incident would shock the community.
