A swimmer rescued from turbulent waters that reportedly claimed two lives in Devon described his decision to enter the sea as a „mistake.“ Mike Brown, 60, was saved by two bystanders while struggling to stay above water during the traditional Christmas Day swim.
The search for antiques dealer Matthew Upham, 63, is ongoing after a rescue operation commenced in Budleigh Salterton when several individuals encountered difficulties in the aquatic conditions. A younger man in his 40s is similarly feared to have drowned while attempting to rescue Mr. Upham amidst „treacherous“ conditions marked by 6-foot waves and wind gusts reaching 65 mph.
Rescue Operation Highlights Dangers
Mr. Brown recounted that local residents rushed into the water fully clothed to assist him in reaching safety. He shared with BBC News, „They took an arm each and dragged me to safety, and as quickly as it had started, it was over; I was on the beach and I was safe.“ After entering the water, he found himself „unable to get out“ and feared for his life.
“After successive waves crashed me into the stones, I managed to reach relatively shallow water, but I was spent,” he noted, explaining that he had received several blows to the head and lacked the strength to stand. Mr. Brown, who has resided in the area for nearly thirty years, stated, „It was much worse conditions than normal and some of the worst conditions I’ve ever tried to swim in. With hindsight, it was clearly a mistake to try and get in.“
Community and Family Response
Although Matthew Upham remains unaccounted for, his family expressed their heartache in a statement shared on his business’s Instagram account, stating: „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. We are profoundly grateful for their compassion and support.“
Friends of Mr. Upham paid tribute to him on social media, describing him as „the kindest person“ and a „shining star“ whose absence will be deeply felt.
For four decades, Mr. Upham operated a business in London before relocating to Budleigh Salterton, where he specialized in a captivating assortment of chandeliers and antique furniture.
Warnings Issued to Avoid Dangerous Swims
In a Facebook post earlier this week, East Devon District Council urged locals to “think twice before taking the plunge this festive season.” The local authority highlighted that cold water shock, strong currents, and unpredictable weather can transform a brief swim into a serious emergency.
After completing extensive shoreline and offshore searches, the Coastguard suspended its search efforts at 5 PM on Christmas Day. The Devon and Cornwall Police indicated that the families of the men have been kept updated on any developments. Various Christmas and Boxing Day swims in Devon and Cornwall were canceled this year due to a yellow weather warning for wind affecting parts of the South West and Wales.
Bildquelle: Foto von Ian Taylor auf Unsplash
