Viewers of BBC Breakfast were met with tragic news on Saturday morning as presenters Charlie Stayt and Emma Vardy opened the programme.
Search operation concluded
The broadcasters confirmed that the extensive search for two men who disappeared during a Christmas Day swim off the East Devon coast had been officially called off. Charlie Stayt informed the audience that the main story involved tributes being paid to one of the missing men, whose family described him as deeply loved and forever missed.
Emma Vardy provided further detail, explaining that police had ended the search for 63-year-old antique dealer Matthew Upham and another man in his 40s. The pair were among a group of people who encountered difficulties in the sea at Budleigh Salterton on Christmas morning.
Scene report from Devon
The programme then cut to a reporter on the ground in Devon. She outlined that the swimmers had been taking part in an unofficial festive tradition when the incident occurred. A massive emergency response was launched just before 10:30am on December 25th but was ultimately stood down at last light.
On social media, Matthew Upham's family expressed their heartbreak and extended gratitude to the emergency services for their tireless and professional efforts. They reiterated that Matthew was deeply loved and would be sorely missed. The second man, who remains unnamed, is also still missing.
Several other swimmers required assistance from the emergency services, with a number taken to hospital as a precautionary measure.
Eyewitness account of dangerous conditions
Mike Brown, who attended the festive swim, spoke to BBC Breakfast about the perilous situation. He stated the sea conditions were "worse than normal" and admitted that, with hindsight, entering the water was a clear mistake.
He credited two local men with saving his life. "Two local guys, whom I need to try and find and thank, basically waded in in their clothes and tried to get me out," Brown recounted. He described how one helper was knocked over by a wave, forcing an initial rescue attempt to be aborted.
"Then another wave hit me. I managed to hold on, and then the second time they came in, I was unable to stand, and they took an arm each and dragged me to safety. And as quick as it started, it was over. I was on the beach, and I was safe," he said.
The tragic event has cast a shadow over the community, highlighting the risks associated with winter sea swimming.
