A Devon antiques dealer is missing after being swept away by a powerful wave as he attempted to rescue a woman in distress during a Christmas Day sea swim.
The Christmas Day Tragedy
Matthew Upham, aged 63, remains unaccounted for following a major emergency response in the seaside town of Budleigh Salterton. The incident occurred on the morning of 25 December when a group of swimmers encountered difficulty in stormy conditions.
While many were successfully rescued from the water and checked over by paramedics, two men have not been found. Alongside Mr Upham, another man in his 40s is also missing following the ill-fated festive swim.
A Selfless Act in Stormy Seas
It has now emerged that Matthew Upham's disappearance was the result of a courageous attempt to aid another swimmer. According to a close friend of thirty years, Mr Upham had nearly reached the safety of the shore when he spotted a woman struggling in the water.
"Matthew swam back out to reach her but as he did so a huge wave crashed into him and dragged him under. He hasn't been seen since," the friend told the Mail on Sunday.
The friend described Mr Upham as "exceptionally fit" and a daily sea swimmer who knew the local coastline intimately. He was characterised as an "incredibly selfless person" whose instinct was always to help others.
"From what I've been told, he'd actually made it out of danger initially and was about to reach the beach but turned back when he saw the woman struggling," the friend added. "The woman eventually made it back to shore but Matthew is still missing."
Family Tributes and Community Grief
The family of Matthew Upham have issued a heartfelt statement expressing their profound loss. The message, posted to his business Instagram account by his nephew, Major Harley Upham, read: "Our family is heartbroken by the loss of our beloved family member Matthew Upham, who was reported missing on Christmas morning. Matthew is deeply loved and will be forever missed."
The family extended their sincere thanks to the emergency services, particularly the RNLI and coastguard, for their "dedication, professionalism, and tireless efforts" during the search operation.
Friends and the local community have flooded social media with tributes, describing the missing antiques dealer 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. He had previously traded in London for four decades before relocating to the Devon coast.
As the search continues, hopes of finding Mr Upham alive are fading. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the powerful and unpredictable nature of the sea, even for the most experienced swimmers.
