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Man missing after Devon Christmas swim is named
The Independent
|December 27, 2025
One of the two men who were swept away at sea during a Christmas Day swim in Devon has been named by his family.
Local antiques shop owner Matthew Upham was reported missing on Thursday morning after a “truly tragic incident” in Budleigh Salterton. Emergency services were called to the scene after several people were reported struggling among large waves at the beach. Several were escorted to safety, but a man in his forties and a man in his sixties remained missing last night and have not been located.
After an extensive search, the operation was concluded on Thursday afternoon, and the families of those missing were contacted.
Mr Upham’s family wrote in a statement on his company’s Instagram page yesterday: “Our family is heartbroken by the loss of our beloved family member, Matthew Upham, who was reported missing on Christmas morning. Matthew is deeply loved and will be forever missed.”
This story is from the December 27, 2025 edition of The Independent.
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