Music icon Kate Bush has spoken of her heartbreak after a close friend vanished during a Christmas Day swim off the Devon coast.
Search Called Off for Missing Antiques Dealer
Matthew Upham, a 63-year-old antiques dealer, remains unaccounted for after a major rescue operation was launched in the seaside town of Budleigh Salterton on the morning of 25 December. Reports indicated several people had gotten into difficulty in the stormy water.
While a number of individuals were rescued and checked by paramedics or taken to hospital as a precaution, two men—one in his 40s and one in his 60s—could not be found. The Coastguard confirmed that after extensive shoreline and offshore searches, the operation was stood down at 5pm on Christmas Day.
'One of the Best Friends Anyone Could Have'
In a poignant post on her website on Sunday 28 December, the 'Running Up That Hill' singer, 67, expressed her grief. "As you might have heard on the news, Matthew Upham was one of the swimmers who went missing in the sea in Devon on Christmas Day," Bush wrote.
She described Matthew as one of her "very dearest friends," whom she had known for three decades. "He was extraordinarily kind, thoughtful and lived life to the full. He was also a great deal of fun," she said. Bush emphasised that Upham was a strong and experienced swimmer with a great love for kayaking, who understood the need to respect the sea.
According to The Daily Mail, Mr Upham had reportedly attempted to save a woman in distress before being swept away. Bush concluded her tribute: "The world has lost someone incredibly special. Thank-you Matthew, for being one of the best friends anyone could have."
Family's Heartbreak and Community Tributes
A statement on the Instagram account of Mr Upham's business conveyed his family's devastation, saying they are "heartbroken by the loss." It added, "Matthew is deeply loved and will be forever missed." The family extended sincere thanks to the emergency services, particularly the RNLI and coastguard, for their "dedication, professionalism, and tireless efforts."
Friends flooded the post with tributes, describing him as "the kindest person," "a beautiful man with the sweetest soul," and "a bringer of joy and an inspiration."
Mr Upham ran Matthew Upham Antiques, an appointment-only business on Budleigh Salterton's High Street specialising in European chandeliers and 18th-century furniture. The business had traded for forty years in London before relocating to the Devon town.
Safety Warnings After Festive Swim Tragedy
The incident has prompted urgent safety warnings. On Thursday afternoon, East Devon District Council urged locals on Facebook to "think twice before taking the plunge this festive season." The authority highlighted the dangers of cold water shock, strong currents, and unpredictable weather, which can swiftly turn a dip into a serious emergency.
Several traditional Christmas and Boxing Day swims in Devon and Cornwall were cancelled this year due to a yellow weather warning for wind covering parts of the South West and Wales.
Devon and Cornwall Police have stated that the families of both missing men are being kept informed and that inquiries are ongoing.
