Search is called off for two men in their 40s and 60s after group ‘got into difficulty’ on Christmas Day swim off Devon coast
The Coastguard has called off the search for two swimmers who got into distress on the Devon coast on Christmas morning.
Unfortunately, search and rescue teams could not find two people in their 40s and 60s today and they continue to be missing. Both families were informed.
Emergency services were called to Budleigh Salterton at 10.25am following concerns about swimmers.
It was stated that many people were in a difficult situation in the water due to bad weather conditions, ambulance teams intervened in two people at the scene, and one person with a non-life-threatening condition had to be taken to hospital.
The Coastguard suspended the search at 5pm this evening following a joint effort by Coastguard Rescue Teams Exmouth and Beer, RNLI lifeboats, Teignmouth and Torbay and coastguard search and rescue helicopters.
A yellow weather warning for wind has been issued today, following warnings that winds from east to northeast will be particularly strong and gusty in Devon.
Police are warning swimmers not to enter the water on boxing day as the bad weather continues tomorrow.
Detective Superintendent Hayley Costar said: ‘Emergency services are responding to a truly tragic incident in Budleigh Salterton today.
‘Our thoughts are with the families and friends of the two men currently missing and anyone who may have witnessed or been affected by the incident.
‘The local community will have seen a significant amount of emergency services in the area throughout the day as extensive investigations continue. As darkness fell, some of these searches were suspended and some police investigations on the ground continued this evening.
‘Weather warnings have been issued this week and a number of official and unofficial swims have already been cancelled. While there is no official warning for tomorrow, we would urge anyone planning to swim in the sea on Boxing Day not to do so.’
Emergency services were called to the beach at Budleigh Salterton at 10.25am following concerns about swimmers.
According to Devon and Cornwall Police, several people were brought safely to shore and will be checked by paramedics.
According to HM Coastguard: ‘HM Coastguard responded to reports of people experiencing water shortages in the Budleigh Salterton area this morning, 25 December.
‘Exmouth and Beer Coastguard Rescue Teams were alerted at around 10am, RNLI lifeboats from Exmouth, Teignmouth and Torbay, coastguard search and rescue helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft were dispatched to assist at the scene, alongside police and ambulance services.
Searches continued throughout the day to find two men believed to be still in the water. ‘After extensive searches of the coastline and offshore, the coastguard portion of the search was stopped at 17:00.’
Hundreds of people were seen gathering on Exmouth and Budleigh beaches this morning for an unofficial Christmas Day swim.
Earlier, Devon and Cornwall Police had urged people to stay away from the sea due to ‘an incident on the water’.
Police said: ‘Please do not enter the water and stay away from the area. ‘We are also urgently asking members of the public not to enter the water for swimming in Exmouth on Christmas Day while emergency services are dealing with this incident.’
One local said: ‘Terrible. With many organized events being cancelled, advice was clearly given not to swim today. We hope for a positive outcome for everyone affected.’
Another said: ‘People saw the state of the sea today and thought going swimming probably wasn’t the best idea?’
Another added: ‘Our local swimming event has been canceled and that’s quite right too. The wave was huge and the wind started to pick up. ‘There’s no need to go in today and wait until things calm down.’
Melissa Hill, who visited the town for Christmas, said at the scene: ‘The coastguard have cordoned off part of the path where the swimmers were heading.
‘They are looking at the area where the incident occurred. This is a very scary incident. There’s no good time to die, but Christmas Day is terrible.
‘But the conditions are terrible. The sea is cold, the wind is strong and the waves are crashing. ‘I can’t believe anyone went into the water in this state.’
HM Coastguard said the alarm was raised at around 10am
A local woman added: ‘We went to watch the annual Christmas Day swimming parade in Exmouth, next door to Budleigh Salterton.
‘There were many hundreds of people entering and it passed without incident. I can’t believe they went in as there were warnings about conditions in Devon and Cornwall. Some organizers have sensibly canceled their events.’
A coastguard at the scene said earlier: ‘It was a huge reaction. Many helicopters, lifeboats and coast guard teams were dispatched to the scene. I cannot provide any other information.’
The Met Office warned of ‘strong and 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 to 55 mph, but they may reach 55-65 mph along some exposed beaches and west of prominent hills.
The forecaster said it could cause disruption to transportation and power supplies.
He added: ‘Large waves will pose additional danger on some coasts.’
