British music icon Kate Bush has spoken of her profound grief after a 'dear friend' disappeared following a Christmas Day sea swim in Devon.
A Tragic Christmas Morning in Budleigh Salterton
Emergency services were called to the beach at Budleigh Salterton at 10.25am on 25 December after reports that a group of swimmers had got into difficulty in the water. Stormy conditions and a yellow weather warning for wind were in place across parts of the South West.
While several people were safely brought to shore, two men remained unaccounted for. One was a man in his 40s, and the other was identified as 63-year-old antiques dealer Matthew Upham, a long-time friend of the Wuthering Heights singer.
Kate Bush's Emotional Tribute to a 'Very Dear Friend'
In a moving statement, Kate Bush, who owns a home at Prawle Point in Devon, confirmed the tragic news. "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," she said.
She described Upham as "one of my very dearest friends," whom she had known for three decades. "He was one of those people who touched everyone he met," Bush stated. She characterised him as "extraordinarily kind, thoughtful and lived life to the full," adding that he was "a great deal of fun."
"His family are heartbroken and along with many of his friends, so am I," the singer expressed. Bush emphasised that Upham was a strong and experienced swimmer with a great love for kayaking, who understood the need to respect the sea. "It’s so tragic that he lost his life this way. The world has lost someone incredibly special," she concluded.
Large-Scale Search and Safety Warnings
The search operation involved a significant multi-agency response. HM Coastguard coordinated efforts with RNLI lifeboats from Exmouth, Teignmouth, and Torbay. Rescue helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, police, and ambulance personnel were all deployed to the scene.
In the wake of the incident, and due to ongoing stormy conditions and freezing temperatures, swimmers have been urged to stay out of the sea. The tragedy led to the cancellation of several other planned Christmas and Boxing Day swims in Devon and Cornwall.
It is noted that the Budleigh Salterton Christmas swim, while an organised charity event in previous years, now operates more as an unofficial gathering for locals and some visitors.
The family of Matthew Upham has also issued a statement, saying he was "deeply loved and forever missed." The search for both missing men continues.
