The family of Matthew Upham, 63, one of two men missing after the Christmas Day swim at Budleigh Salterton, Devon, said he is ‘deeply loved’ and ‘will be forever missed’
New photographs show a ‘beloved’ antiques dealer who vanished after a stormy Christmas Day swim.
Matthew Upham, 63, remains missing along with another man in his 40s after the emergency unfolded at the annual Christmas Day sea dip at Budleigh Salterton, Devon.
A number of people were rescued from the stormy water and checked by paramedics or taken to hospital as a precaution, but the two men were not located.
A statement posted to Mr Upham’s business’s Instagram account last night said his family is “heartbroken by the loss”, adding: “Matthew is deeply loved and will be forever missed”.
Commenting on the post, a friend of the antiques dealer described Mr Upham as “the kindest person”, adding: “The world will miss such a shining star.”
Local authorities have now warned other swimmers against venturing into the sea over the festive period amid challenging choppy conditions and freezing temperatures.
Julia Robb, a local who had been watching swimmers at the beach on Christmas Day before the men went missing, described the conditions as “very cold and windy”, with waves “at least 6ft” high.
