A major search and rescue operation for two swimmers who got into difficulty off a Devon beach on Christmas morning has been called off by the coastguard.
Major Emergency Response Launched
Emergency services were first alerted at 10.25am on 25 December to reports of people in trouble in the water at Budleigh Salterton. A significant multi-agency response was immediately mobilised, involving coastguard rescue teams from Exmouth and Beer, RNLI lifeboats from Exmouth, Teignmouth, and Torbay, alongside coastguard search and rescue helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. Police and ambulance crews also attended the scene.
It is understood that a number of people encountered difficulties due to the severe weather conditions. The ambulance service treated two individuals at the scene, with one person taken to hospital suffering from injuries that were not life-threatening. However, two men remained unaccounted for from around 10am. The next of kin for one of the missing men have been informed.
Search Stood Down After Extensive Efforts
Following hours of intensive searching both offshore and along the shoreline, HM Coastguard made the difficult decision to stand down its part of the operation at 5pm. A spokesperson confirmed that searches had continued throughout the day but were ultimately unsuccessful in locating the two men.
Devon and Cornwall Police had earlier urged the public to stay away from the water for their own safety. A force spokesperson stated: 'There is a significant amount of emergency service personnel working on this incident and we ask that people do not enter the water along this stretch of coast while this incident is ongoing for public safety reasons.'
Warnings Ignored Amidst Unofficial Christmas Swims
The incident occurred despite official weather warnings and the cancellation of many organised festive swims. The Met Office had issued a yellow weather warning for wind across Devon for the entirety of Christmas Day, forecasting strong and gusty easterly winds with potential gusts of 55-65mph on exposed coasts. Forecasters had warned of large waves and possible disruption.
Nevertheless, hundreds of people were seen gathering for unofficial Christmas Day swims at Exmouth and Budleigh beaches. Local reports and witnesses expressed dismay that individuals had entered the water given the dangerous conditions. One local commented: 'The advice was clearly issued not to swim today with many organised events being cancelled.' Another added: 'The swell was huge and the wind set to increase. No need to go in today.'
Melissa Hill, a visitor to the town, described the scene: 'It is such an awful thing to have happened... The conditions are dreadful. The sea is cold, the wind is strong and the waves are crashing in.' A coastguard official at the scene earlier in the day simply described it as 'a major response'.
