Two men missing after Christmas Day swim in England

Two men are missing after a Christmas Day swim turned tragic in Budleigh Salterton, Devon, England, prompting a major emergency response that was called off at nightfall without locating the individuals. On Christmas Day morning, emergency services were alerted to swimmers in difficulty off the coast of Budleigh Salterton in Devon. Devon and Cornwall Police received a call at 10:25 GMT after concerns were raised for people in the water, leading to a swift and extensive rescue operation. A significant number of emergency personnel were deployed, including Exmouth and Beer Coastguard Rescue Teams, RNLI lifeboats from multiple locations, coastguard helicopters, and fixed-wing aircraft. Police and ambulance services also attended the scene, working together to search for the missing individuals and assist those in distress. While several swimmers were safely brought to shore and received medical attention, two men—one in his 40s and another in his 60s—remained unaccounted for. Their families have been informed, and the search continued throughout the day but was ultimately stood down at 5 pm as darkness fell, with some police enquiries continuing on land. The incident occurred amidst challenging weather conditions, with a yellow wind warning issued by the Met Office for parts of south-west England and Wales. Strong gusts and large waves created hazardous sea conditions, which likely contributed to the difficulties faced by the swimmers. In response to the incident and the weather warnings, organizers of several Christmas and Boxing Day swims in Devon and Cornwall had already cancelled or postponed events. Police urged the public to avoid swimming in the sea on Boxing Day, emphasizing safety concerns. Detective Superintendent Hayley Costar of Devon and Cornwall Police expressed condolences to the families and highlighted the community’s support during the search. The local community witnessed a large emergency presence throughout the day, reflecting the scale of the response. The coastguard confirmed that after extensive shoreline and offshore searches, no trace of the missing men was found. The search was suspended, but authorities continue to investigate and monitor the situation, with updates expected as more information becomes available. This tragic event underscores the risks associated with open-water swimming, especially during adverse weather conditions. It serves as a reminder for swimmers to heed safety warnings and for organizers to prioritize participant well-being during such traditional events.