A body has been discovered in the ongoing search for Matthew Upham, the antiques dealer described by singer Kate Bush as her 'very dearest friend', who vanished during a Christmas Day swim off the coast of Devon. The 64-year-old is feared to have drowned after heroically attempting to rescue a woman who was struggling in treacherous sea conditions.
Discovery Near Exmouth Beach
Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed that a body was located near the shoreline of Exmouth Beach shortly before 3pm on Sunday. While formal identification procedures are still pending, authorities have notified the family of a 64-year-old man from Budleigh Salterton about this significant development in the case.
Tragic Christmas Morning Incident
Mr Upham had joined dozens of other swimmers for the traditional Christmas morning cold water plunge at Budleigh Salterton beach. Within mere seconds of entering the water, participants encountered serious difficulties due to enormous swells generated by powerful winds that created hazardous marine conditions.
Emergency services were alerted at 10.25am on December 25th following concerns for swimmers in distress. According to witness accounts, Mr Upham had initially navigated the dangerous surf and was approaching safety when he spotted a woman struggling beyond the breaking waves.
Heroic Rescue Attempt
Friends familiar with the incident revealed that Mr Upham, described as an exceptionally fit daily swimmer who knew those coastal waters intimately, made the selfless decision to turn back and assist the woman in difficulty. As he swam toward her, a massive wave crashed over him, dragging him beneath the surface.
'He was an incredibly selfless person,' a friend of thirty years explained. 'When he saw that woman in distress, there was only going to be one outcome - him swimming straight out to reach her rather than saving himself. He'd actually made it out of danger initially and was about to reach the beach but turned back.'
Kate Bush's Heartfelt Tribute
Singer Kate Bush, who has resided in Devon since 2005 and had known Mr Upham for three decades, paid emotional tribute to her close friend on her official website. The 'Running Up That Hill' artist described him as 'one of those people who touched everyone he met' and praised his extraordinary kindness, thoughtfulness, and zest for life.
'He was also a great deal of fun,' Bush wrote. 'His family are heartbroken and, along with many of his friends, so am I. Matthew was a very strong swimmer. He had a great love for kayaking and understood that the sea should be respected. It's so tragic that he lost his life this way.'
Second Victim Recovered
In a related development, the body of a 47-year-old man was recovered on Wednesday from the shore at Sandy Bay in Exmouth. Both men are believed to have drowned during the Christmas Day swimming incident, while several other participants were successfully pulled from the water by rescue teams.
Family's Grief and Gratitude
Mr Upham's family took to social media on Boxing Day to express their profound sorrow and to thank emergency services for their exhaustive efforts. His nephew, Major Harley Upham, posted a statement on the Instagram account of the family's antique shop in Budleigh Salterton.
'Our family is heartbroken by the loss of our beloved family member Matthew Upham,' he wrote. 'Matthew is deeply loved and will be forever missed. We would like to express our sincere and heartfelt thanks to the emergency services who responded, particularly the RNLI and coastguard, for their dedication, professionalism, and tireless efforts during this extremely difficult time.'
Professional Background and Legacy
Matthew Upham operated his antique business in Fulham for many years before relocating to Devon, where he specialised in chandeliers and occasionally appeared in YouTube videos discussing antiques. Friends and family have emphasised his daily swimming routine, exceptional fitness, and deep respect for the sea - making his loss in these circumstances particularly poignant.
The woman Mr Upham attempted to rescue eventually made it back to shore safely, according to reports. Flowers have been left at the beach where the Christmas morning swim began, as the community mourns a man remembered for his selfless character and vibrant approach to life.
