Christmas swim horror as two missing after multiple people rescued from water | UK | News

Police said an emergency response was launched at a beach in Devon following concerns about people in the water.

Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed emergency services were called to Budleigh Salterton at 10.25am on Christmas Day.

Police said several people were brought safely to shore and would be checked by paramedics.

A spokesman added: “Coastguard and RNLI teams are continuing searches in the water.

“A significant number of emergency personnel are working on this incident and for public safety reasons we would ask that people do not enter the water along this shoreline while this incident is ongoing.”

Early Thursday, police told people not to go into the water and to stay away from the area.

They have urgently asked members of the public not to attend the Christmas Day swim in Exmouth while emergency services deal with the incident.

The Coast Guard confirmed in a statement that it was alerted to the incident at around 10 a.m. on Thursday.

A spokesman said: “HM Coastguard is responding to reports of people experiencing difficulties in the water at Budleigh Salterton on 25 December.

“Exmouth and Beer Coastguard Rescue Teams were alerted at around 10am, RNLI lifeboats from Exmouth, Teignmouth and Torbay and coastguard search and rescue helicopters were dispatched to the scene to assist, alongside police and ambulance services.”

The RNLI said lifeboats from Exmouth, Torbay and Teignmouth were deployed to the incident.

A number of Christmas and Boxing Day swims in Devon and Cornwall this year have been canceled due to a yellow weather warning due to wind.

The Met Office warned of “strong, gusty east to north-east winds” across south-west England and Wales from 4am to 11.59pm on Christmas Day.

Peak winds will reach 45-55 mph, but could reach 55-65 mph along some open costs and west of prominent ridges.

The forecaster said it could cause disruption to transportation and power supplies.

He added: “Large waves will pose additional danger on some coasts.”