Key Takeaways
- Two men are missing in the water off a beach in Devon after a number of people were reported to be in difficulty on Christmas Day
- Emergency services were called to Budleigh Salterton at 10:25am, and a number of people were safely brought to shore
- The missing men are aged in their 40s and 60s, and a search operation was conducted by the Coastguard, RNLI, and police
- A yellow weather warning for wind was in place on Christmas Day, and a number of Christmas and Boxing Day swims in Devon and Cornwall were cancelled
- The public is urged not to go swimming in the sea on Boxing Day due to the weather conditions
Introduction to the Incident
The Christmas Day incident in Devon has left two men missing in the water off a beach in Budleigh Salterton. Emergency services were called to the scene at 10:25am after concerns were raised about people in difficulty in the water. A number of people were safely brought to shore, with two checked by paramedics and one taken to hospital by ambulance as a precaution. The missing men are aged in their 40s and 60s, and a search operation was launched to try and locate them.
Search and Rescue Efforts
The search operation was conducted by the Coastguard, RNLI, and police, with a number of resources deployed to the scene. Exmouth and Beer coastguard rescue teams, RNLI lifeboats from Exmouth, Teignmouth, and Torbay, coastguard search and rescue helicopters, and fixed-wing aircraft were all involved in the search. The police and ambulance service also assisted in the operation. Despite extensive shoreline and offshore searches, the Coastguard part of the search was stood down at 5pm on Christmas Day. Detective Superintendent Hayley Costar of Devon and Cornwall Police said that some police enquiries on land would continue into the evening.
Weather Conditions
The incident occurred on a day when a yellow weather warning for wind was in place. The Met Office had warned of "strong and gusty east to northeasterly winds" from 4am until 11:59pm on Christmas Day in parts of the south-west of England and Wales. The forecaster predicted peak gusts of 45 to 55mph, with the possibility of gusts reaching 55 to 65mph along some exposed coasts and to the west of prominent hills. The weather conditions were expected to cause disruption to transport and power supplies, and large waves were also predicted to be an additional hazard on some coasts.
Cancellation of Christmas and Boxing Day Swims
Due to the weather conditions, a number of Christmas and Boxing Day swims in Devon and Cornwall were cancelled. The Coastguard and other emergency services had urged people to exercise caution and avoid taking unnecessary risks in the water. Detective Superintendent Hayley Costar also warned people not to go swimming in the sea on Boxing Day, saying that "there have been weather warnings in place this week and a number of official and unofficial swims have already been cancelled." The public is advised to check the weather forecast and follow safety advice before engaging in any water activities.
Investigation and Appeal for Information
The police are continuing to investigate the incident and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward. Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information that could assist in the search for the missing swimmers is urged to contact Devon and Cornwall police by calling 101 or through the force’s website, quoting log number 191 of 25 December. The police are working to locate the missing men and are asking the public to help in any way they can. The incident is a reminder of the importance of safety and caution when engaging in water activities, especially during adverse weather conditions.
