The search for two men who went missing during a Christmas Day sea swim at Budleigh Salterton, Devon, has been called off. Emergency services were alerted on Thursday shortly after 10:25 GMT. While some participants in the swim were safely brought back to shore, two men, in their 40s and 60s, could not be located. The coastguard suspended its sea search at 17:00, though police continued onshore investigations into the evening. The families of the missing men have been informed.
The incident occurred on a particularly cold day with what witnesses described as "ferocious" and "rough" sea conditions, with waves estimated to be 5-6 feet high. One man, who has participated in the Christmas Day swim for years, stated he would not have entered the water if he had been alone and only made it out with the assistance of two other swimmers, sustaining multiple injuries. He expressed gratitude to his rescuers and sent well wishes to the families of the missing men, suggesting that "herd mentality and Christmas spirit" led people to make a "wrong decision" to enter the water. Another participant noted a "dangerous vibe" among swimmers as they assessed the conditions, realizing the significant risk posed by the "crazy waves." Police have termed the event "truly tragic" and have cautioned the public against entering the water, even with no official weather warnings in place for Boxing Day.