The family of Matthew Upham, one of two men missing after a Christmas Day swim in Devon, has paid tribute to him. In a statement posted on his antiques business Instagram account, his family said he was “deeply loved and forever missed”. Upham, from Budleigh Salterton, ran Matthew Upham Antiques in the town.
Emergency services were called to Budleigh Salterton at 10.25am on Christmas Day after concerns were raised for people in the water. A number of people were safely brought to shore, but two men – one in his 40s and another in his 60s – could not be found. Two of those rescued were checked by paramedics, and one was taken to hospital as a precaution.
The coastguard search was stood down at 5pm on Christmas Day after extensive shoreline and offshore searches. Police said on Boxing Day that both men were still missing and inquiries were ongoing, with a police presence remaining at the scene.
Detective Superintendent Hayley Costar of Devon and Cornwall Police described the incident as “truly tragic” and urged people not to go swimming in the sea on Boxing Day. Julia Robb, a resident who witnessed the swim, said the waves were “at least 6ft” and the day was “very cold and windy”.
