The search for two men who went missing after a Christmas Day swim off the coast of Devon has officially ended, following a significant but ultimately unsuccessful rescue operation. Emergency services received alerts at 10:25 AM on December 25, 2023, regarding individuals in distress in the waters at Budleigh Salterton beach.
Authorities from Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed that while several swimmers were safely rescued and assessed by paramedics, the two missing men, believed to be aged in their 40s and 60s, remain unaccounted for. Their families have been notified about the ongoing situation.
Rescue Attempts and Conditions
Throughout the day, extensive search efforts were undertaken, involving multiple rescue teams. The HM Coastguard dispatched teams from Exmouth and Beer, alongside lifeboats from the RNLI stations in Exmouth and Torbay, and coastguard search and rescue helicopters. Despite these efforts, the search concluded without locating the two missing individuals.
Detective Superintendent Hayley Co-star expressed deep concern regarding the incident, stating, “Today, emergency services have been responding to a truly tragic incident in Budleigh Salterton. Our thoughts remain firmly with the families and friends of the two men who are currently missing and to all who may have witnessed and been impacted by the incident.”
Weather conditions contributed to the challenges faced by rescuers, with warnings issued throughout the week regarding high winds and rough seas. Despite there being no official warnings for swimming on Boxing Day, authorities urged caution against entering the water.
Public Safety and Community Response
In light of the incident, Devon and Cornwall Police have emphasized public safety, advising individuals against swimming in the sea due to hazardous conditions. The police stated, “A significant amount of emergency service personnel were deployed to the incident, and we ask that people do not enter the water for public safety reasons – due to the current weather warnings.”
As searches were ongoing, police advised the public to avoid both Budleigh Salterton and Exmouth beaches, where crowds had gathered for unofficial Christmas Day swims. In a statement, the police reiterated, “Please do not enter the water and avoid the area,” highlighting the ongoing commitment of emergency services to the situation.
Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is encouraged to contact police by calling 101 or reporting online, quoting log 191 of December 25, 2023. The community remains on alert as the search for the missing men has concluded, with local authorities continuing to monitor conditions and ensure public safety.
