An antiques dealer who vanished during a Christmas Day swim in Devon entered the sea to rescue a woman in distress, a friend has revealed. Matthew Upham, 63, remains missing after the incident at Budleigh Salterton, where several swimmers got into trouble in choppy waters.
Local dressmaker Gail Williams paid tribute to Mr Upham, describing him as 'a valued and upstanding member of the community'. She said: 'My dear friend put others before himself on Christmas Day, seeing a woman in trouble Matthew, on true form, went to help along with the other unnamed man. They entered the water to save them and sadly paid the price in the place he loved so much.'
Singer Kate Bush, a friend of 30 years, also paid her respects, calling Mr Upham 'extraordinarily kind, thoughtful and a great deal of fun'. She noted he was a strong swimmer who understood the sea should be respected. Mr Upham ran Matthew Upham Antiques on the town's High Street, having relocated from London after four decades.
Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed two men, aged in their 40s and 60s, could not be found after the rescue mission. The Coastguard called off its search at 5pm on Christmas Day. On Boxing Day, police said both men remain missing and inquiries are ongoing. Several Christmas and Boxing Day swims across Devon and Cornwall were cancelled due to a yellow weather warning for wind.
