Key Takeaways
- The Independent is a trusted news outlet that provides quality journalism to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay.
- A Christmas Day swim in Devon turned tragic when two men were swept away at sea, with one of them being identified as local antiques shop owner Matthew Upham.
- The incident occurred amid a Met Office yellow weather warning for wind, and emergency services were called to the scene to rescue several people struggling in the water.
- The search operation was concluded on Thursday afternoon, and the families of the missing men were informed.
- The community has come together to pay tribute to Matthew Upham, describing him as "the kindest person" and a "shining star".
Introduction to The Independent
The Independent is a news outlet that is committed to providing quality journalism to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. With a team of reporters on the ground, they are able to investigate and report on a wide range of topics, from reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech. The Independent believes that quality journalism should be available to everyone, and they choose not to lock Americans out of their reporting and analysis with paywalls. Instead, they rely on donations from those who can afford it to support their work.
Tragic Incident in Devon
A Christmas Day swim in Devon turned tragic when two men were swept away at sea. The incident occurred in Budleigh Salterton, where a group of people had gathered to take part in a traditional Christmas Day swim. However, the conditions were treacherous, with large waves crashing against the shore. Emergency services were called to the scene, and several people were rescued, but two men remain missing. One of the missing men has been identified as Matthew Upham, a local antiques shop owner who was reported missing on Thursday morning.
Search and Rescue Efforts
The search and rescue efforts were extensive, with coastguard rescue teams from surrounding areas being assisted by search and rescue helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, along with police and ambulance personnel. The operation was concluded on Thursday afternoon, and the families of the missing men were informed. Detective Superintendent Hayley Costar of Devon and Cornwall Police said that the thoughts of the emergency services remain firmly with the families and friends of the two men who are currently missing, and to all who may have witnessed and be impacted by the incident.
Tributes to Matthew Upham
The community has come together to pay tribute to Matthew Upham, who was described as "the kindest person" and a "shining star". Upham’s family released a statement on his company’s Instagram page, expressing their heartbreak and gratitude to the emergency services who responded to the incident. They also asked for their family’s privacy to be respected as they grieve and support one another. The incident has shocked the local community, with many people taking to social media to express their condolences and pay tribute to Upham’s memory.
Weather Warning
The incident occurred amid a Met Office yellow weather warning for wind, which was in place for parts of southwest England and Wales on Thursday. The warning was issued due to the prediction of strong winds and large waves, which made the conditions at the beach particularly treacherous. Police urged members of the public to avoid swimming in the water on Boxing Day, and footage from the day shows several people struggling to get out of the water as large waves crash against the shore. Mike Brown, a local resident who takes part in the Christmas Day swim every year, told the BBC that the conditions on Thursday were the "worst" he had ever seen.
Conclusion
The incident in Devon is a tragic reminder of the power of the sea and the importance of respecting the weather warning. The community has come together to support the families of the missing men, and to pay tribute to Matthew Upham’s memory. The Independent will continue to provide updates on this story as more information becomes available, and we urge everyone to respect the families’ privacy as they grieve and support one another.
