Music icon Kate Bush has shared a heartbreaking tribute to her 'very dearest friend', an antiques dealer who disappeared after heroically attempting to save a woman in distress during a traditional Christmas Day sea swim.
A Fatal Plunge on Christmas Morning
Matthew Upham, 63, was among dozens of people who entered the water off the coast of Budleigh Salterton in Devon on the morning of December 25th. The festive dip, undertaken by some wearing Santa hats, turned to tragedy within seconds as participants were caught in huge swells caused by high winds.
Emergency services were called at 10.25am following serious concerns for the swimmers. While several were pulled from the water by rescuers and taken to hospital as a precaution, two men remained missing. Alongside Mr Upham, a man in his 40s, believed to be married with children, is also feared to have drowned.
'He Lived Life to the Full': A Star's Personal Tribute
Kate Bush, 67, who has lived in Devon since 2005, posted a moving statement on her website honouring her friend of 30 years. The 'Running Up That Hill' singer described Mr Upham as 'extraordinarily kind, thoughtful and lived life to the full'.
'He was one of those people who touched everyone he met,' she wrote. 'His family are heartbroken and, along with many of his friends, so am I.'
Bush emphasised her friend's competence and respect for the sea, noting he was a very strong swimmer with a great love for kayaking. 'It's so tragic that he lost his life this way,' she added. 'The world has lost someone incredibly special.'
The Heroic Final Act
Details have emerged revealing Mr Upham's selfless final moments. After going to the beach with friends for the annual swim, he had nearly made it back to shore when he spotted a woman in difficulty beyond the surf line.
A friend told the Mail on Sunday: '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 stressed that Mr Upham, who ran an antique business in Fulham before relocating to Devon, was an exceptionally fit and experienced swimmer who knew the coast intimately. His act was one of pure courage. '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 explained. The woman eventually made it back to shore.
Witnesses suggested some swimmers may have entered the water after spotting an RNLI lifeboat, potentially believing the informal event was supervised. The lifeboat was actually on an exercise but responded immediately to the emergency, joined by Exmouth and Beer Coastguard rescue teams and a police helicopter.
On Boxing Day, Mr Upham's family issued a statement on the Instagram account of his Budleigh Salterton antique shop, expressing their heartbreak and thanking the emergency services for their 'tireless efforts'. Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed that searches for the two missing men are ongoing.
