The pebbled shores of Budleigh Salterton, a picturesque seaside town nestled along Devon’s Jurassic Coast, are typically a haven of tranquility, where families stroll and locals savor the salty breeze. But on Christmas Day 2025, this serene stretch of coastline became the stage for a harrowing tragedy that has left a community reeling and families in anguish. As hundreds gathered for the annual Christmas Day swim—a cherished tradition where revelers brave the chilly waters in festive spirit—chaos erupted when powerful waves and treacherous conditions overwhelmed swimmers. Emergency services scrambled to rescue numerous individuals caught in the tumult, but two men, one in his 40s and another in his 60s, remain missing at sea, their fates uncertain as hope fades. One of the men has been identified as Matthew Upham, a beloved local antiques dealer whose family shared their heartbreak: “Deeply loved and forever missed.”

The Devon and Cornwall Police, alongside the Coastguard, RNLI, and other emergency teams, launched a massive search operation, battling ferocious seas and fading light. By 5pm, the Coastguard stood down its efforts, leaving police to continue inquiries on land. The incident, described as “truly tragic” by Detective Superintendent Hayley Costar, has sparked grief, anger, and questions about why the swim proceeded amid severe weather warnings. Through vivid accounts from witnesses, official statements, and expert insights, this article delves into the chaotic scenes, the desperate rescue efforts, and the broader implications of a festive tradition turned deadly, urging readers to reflect on safety and the unpredictable power of nature.

A Tradition Turns to Terror

Christmas Day in Budleigh Salterton dawned cold and blustery, with a Met Office yellow weather warning for wind in effect across South West England and Wales. Gusts of 45-55mph, reaching up to 65mph along exposed coasts, whipped the sea into a frenzy, creating waves described by witnesses as “almost 10ft” and “like Poseidon having a temper tantrum.” Despite the ominous forecast, hundreds of swimmers—donning Santa hats, swimwear, and festive cheer—gathered at Budleigh Salterton and nearby Exmouth for the unofficial Christmas Day dip, a tradition that draws locals and visitors alike to brave the 10-11°C waters for a jolt of exhilaration.

Photographs and videos from the morning capture the initial joy: scores of people laughing, screaming with delight, and charging into the surf, their festive attire a stark contrast to the gray, churning sea. But moments later, the mood shifted. “You could tell the sea was the roughest it’s been,” said BBC journalist Phillip Stoneman, a regular at the Budleigh swim. “Anyone going in would need to be a lot more cautious than usual.” Swimmers like Ashley Stoneman sensed the danger immediately: “Everybody was looking at each other, thinking, ‘How far do we go in? How long are we going in for?’ Some people looked at it and thought, ‘Not today.’”

The alarm was raised at 10:25am when reports flooded in of multiple swimmers in distress. Witnesses described a nightmarish scene: waves sweeping people off their feet as they tried to exit the water, others struggling to stay afloat as currents pulled them seaward. “We watched aghast,” one spectator posted on social media, capturing the horror as screams rang out and the beach descended into chaos. Kelsey Jessup, another swimmer, recalled the waves turning violent: “All of a sudden, it was like the sea was angry, crashing huge.” A local pensioner told the Daily Mail that as many as four people were initially feared missing, though police later confirmed two men remained unaccounted for.

A Race Against Time: The Rescue Operation

Emergency services sprang into action with remarkable speed. Devon and Cornwall Police, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, RNLI lifeboat crews from Exmouth, Teignmouth, and Torbay, and the South Western Ambulance Service converged on Budleigh Salterton. Coastguard rescue teams from Exmouth and Beer, supported by search and rescue helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, scoured the shoreline and offshore waters. The response was described as “major” by a Coastguard worker at the scene, with RNLI crews battling substantial waves to reach those in peril.

Several swimmers were dragged to safety, some requiring assistance from fellow participants before professional rescuers arrived. Two individuals were treated by paramedics at the scene, while one was transported to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Footage later emerged of the RNLI rescuing a woman from the sea just minutes before the two men were reported missing, underscoring the relentless danger.

Despite the heroic efforts, the two men—one later named as Matthew Upham—could not be located. Upham, a fit and experienced swimmer who frequented the local waters, ran Matthew Upham Antiques in Budleigh Salterton. A friend described him as “exceptionally kind” and “very well-liked,” noting that he swam nearly every day and knew the coast intimately. His family’s tribute on Instagram was heartbreaking: “Our family is heartbroken by the loss of our beloved Matthew Upham, who was reported missing on Christmas morning. He is deeply loved and will be forever missed.” The identity of the second man, in his 60s, has not been publicly disclosed, but police confirmed that both families have been informed.

As daylight waned, the Coastguard concluded its extensive shoreline and offshore searches at 5pm, citing the impossibility of continuing in darkness and deteriorating conditions. Police maintained a presence on land, urging anyone with information to contact them via 101, quoting log number 191 of December 25. The RNLI, reflecting on the day, expressed solidarity: “Our thoughts are with all those impacted by the incident and the family and friends of the two people who are missing.”

A Community in Mourning

The tragedy has cast a pall over Budleigh Salterton, a close-knit town unaccustomed to such loss. John Smyley, a resident living near the beach, called the incident “shocking” and “tragic,” noting, “I’ve never quite witnessed anything like this.” The Budleigh Salterton Baptist Church offered prayers for the families and emergency services, inviting those affected to seek solace: “If you would like to pray or talk to someone at this difficult time, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.” Social media posts from locals echoed gratitude for the rescue teams’ bravery, with one writing, “Thank you to the crews risking their lives in horrendous weather.”

Yet alongside grief, anger has surfaced. Many question why the swim—though an informal tradition rather than an organized event—was not canceled given the Met Office’s explicit warnings of “large waves as an additional hazard” and gusts up to 65mph. “Why was this even allowed?” one resident fumed on social media. “No respect for the emergency services or their own safety.” Another, familiar with the coastline, added, “The sea at Budleigh today was treacherous with huge waves and dangerous currents. Nobody should have been swimming there.” The cancellation of other Christmas and Boxing Day swims across Devon and Cornwall due to the same weather warning fueled further frustration, as organizers of those events had heeded the forecast.

The Perils of the Jurassic Coast

The Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site stretching 95 miles from Dorset to Devon, is renowned for its dramatic cliffs, fossil-rich beaches, and rugged beauty. But its exposed shores are also notoriously unpredictable, especially in winter when storms and high winds can transform calm waters into a maelstrom. The Met Office’s warning on Christmas Day highlighted not only wind but also the risk of coastal communities being affected by spray and large waves, a prophecy fulfilled at Budleigh Salterton.

Experts point to several factors that likely exacerbated the incident. The “unusual wind direction” from the east to northeast, as noted by the Met Office, can create particularly hazardous conditions on south-facing coasts like Budleigh’s, driving waves directly onto the shore. Sea surface temperatures of 10-11°C, while not freezing, pose a risk of cold-water shock, which can impair breathing and muscle function within seconds. Combined with strong winds that made exiting the water feel “close to freezing,” swimmers faced a perfect storm of dangers.

The informal nature of the Christmas Day swim may have contributed to the tragedy. Unlike organized events with lifeguards and safety briefings, the Budleigh dip relies on individual judgment, which can vary widely. “Hundreds of people went in at Exmouth without incident,” a local told the Daily Mail, suggesting that conditions or swimmer preparedness differed between the two nearby beaches. The absence of official oversight, coupled with the festive bravado of the occasion, may have led some to underestimate the risks.

Lessons and Reflections

The Budleigh Salterton tragedy underscores the need for greater awareness and precaution during coastal activities, especially in adverse weather. Detective Superintendent Hayley Costar issued a stern warning: “While there are no official warnings in place for tomorrow, we urge anyone with plans to go swimming in the sea on Boxing Day not to.” Police also discouraged participation in Exmouth’s Christmas Day swim while the Budleigh incident was ongoing, a plea that likely saved lives.

The incident has prompted calls for stricter guidelines around informal sea swims, particularly during winter. The RNLI and Coastguard regularly issue sea safety advice, emphasizing the importance of checking weather forecasts, swimming with others, and knowing one’s limits. Organizations like the RNLI could partner with communities to provide safety briefings or temporary lifeguard stations during popular unofficial events, bridging the gap between tradition and responsibility.

For now, Budleigh Salterton grapples with loss and the weight of “what ifs.” The missing men, including Matthew Upham, were not just swimmers but cherished members of their community—sons, brothers, friends. Their absence leaves a void that no festive cheer can fill. As police inquiries continue, the focus shifts to supporting the families and honoring the bravery of those who risked their lives to save others.

This Christmas Day will be remembered not for the laughter of swimmers but for the silence of a community in mourning. The Jurassic Coast, with its timeless beauty, stands as both a siren and a warning: a place where joy and danger coexist, where nature’s power demands respect. As the waves continue to crash on Budleigh’s shores, they carry the echoes of a tragedy that has forever changed a town—and a reminder to hold loved ones close, for the sea gives no guarantees.