A 63-year-old antiques dealer is still missing after heroically entering the sea to rescue a woman in distress during a Christmas Day swim in Devon.
A Fatal Attempt to Help
Matthew Upham, a well-known local figure, remains unaccounted for after a major rescue operation was launched off the coast of Budleigh Salterton on the morning of 25 December. The alarm was raised after reports that several people had got into difficulty in the choppy waters.
Emergency services, including the Coastguard, rushed to the scene. While several swimmers were pulled from the sea and treated by paramedics or taken to hospital as a precaution, two men could not be found. Devon & Cornwall Police confirmed the missing individuals were men aged in their 40s and 60s.
Tributes to a 'True Hero'
Friend Gail Williams revealed that Mr Upham's actions were selfless. "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," she stated.
"They entered the water to save them and sadly paid the price in the place he loved so much," Ms Williams added, describing him as a valued and upstanding member of the community and an accomplished daily sea swimmer.
Singer Kate Bush also paid a heartfelt tribute to her friend of 30 years on her website. "He was extraordinarily kind, thoughtful and lived life to the full... He understood that the sea should be respected," the music icon said.
Search Called Off as Community Grieves
Following extensive shoreline and offshore searches, the Coastguard's operation was stood down at 5pm on Christmas Day. Police confirmed on Boxing Day that both men remained missing and that inquiries were ongoing, with their families being kept informed.
The tragic incident prompted East Devon District Council to issue a warning on Facebook, urging people to "think twice before taking the plunge" due to risks like cold water shock and powerful currents. Several other planned festive swims in Devon and Cornwall were cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.
Matthew Upham ran Matthew Upham Antiques on the town's High Street, having relocated his four-decade-old business from London to the coastal town he loved.
