Flowers continue to be left for missing swimmers
People who've never met the men have been leaving floral tributes as the family of Matthew Upham said he was "deeply loved and forever missed"
Last updated 27th Dec 2025
Flowers continue to be left near to where two swimmers went missing on Christmas Day as the family of one of the men say the loss of 'beloved family member Matthew Upham' has left them 'heartbroken'.
The men, aged in their 40s and 60s, entered the water at Budleigh Salterton - during a weather warning - as part of the traditional festive swim. Mr Upham, from Budleigh Salterton, ran an antiques business called Matthew Upham Antiques.
Jenny, who lives nearby and watched the swim, says she didn't know the men personally but wanted to leave flowers to show she was thinking about their families, adding "I just feel for the families, it's dreadful.
“It's a very tragic ending and Christmases will not be the same I don't feel for the families after this.
"We will remember them, like I’ve put on the flowers.
“It was very dangerous seas at the time and I just feel very sorry for the families."
Emergency Services searched both land and sea from the moment the alarm was called, at around 1030am on Christmas Day, until it became too dark at around 5pm
Gareth Morrison, the RNLI's Head of Water Safety for the UK, said: "It's a really tragic incident and very much the thoughts of everybody in the RNLI go out to the missing men as well as their friends and family.”
He reflected: “Every RNLI lifesaver is courageous, but they are also selfless as well and it's that selflessness that means they will go out and help anybody on Christmas Day or any day that need it.
"It does take its toll. It's cold and there's a physical toll there as well - which is why they are provided with the best possible kit to keep them safe and warm.
"There's also that mental health aspect of it as well and the RNLI must put its arm around our own lifesavers now - after they do every single tragic event - to make sure they are OK and there's a phenomenal support network in every life station and every community because we all want to see our lifesavers stay safe."
On Boxing Day, swimmers were asked to avoid taking part in pre-planned festive dips - partly because of conditions but also the potential pressure on emergency services and the fact some lifeboats had not been able to return to normal positions because of the sea state and situation.
Mr Morrison is advising would-be swimmers to now join an organised event - where safety leads are present and will oversee the festive swims - and for swimmers to 'trust their gut' when it comes to sea conditions.
Detailed year-round RNLI advice to swimmers can be found here
What has the family of Matthew Upham said?
In a statement posted on Mr Upham's Instagram account, his family said: "Our family is heartbroken by the loss of our beloved family member Matthew Upham, who was reported missing on Christmas morning.
"Matthew is deeply loved and will be forever missed.
"We would like to express our sincere and heartfelt thanks to the emergency services who responded, particularly the RNLI and coastguard, for their dedication, professionalism, and tireless efforts during this extremely difficult time.
"We are profoundly grateful for their compassion and support.
"As we grieve and support one another, we kindly ask that our family's privacy is respected.
"We thank everyone for their understanding, kindness, and condolences."
What have the RNLI crews involved in the search said?
In a post online, the Exmouth RNLI crew said: "Our thoughts remain with all those impacted by the incident and the family and friends of the two people who are missing. Thank you to all RNLI volunteers, and members of other emergency services who responded yesterday.
"Exmouth RNLI would like to express their gratitude to all those people who have taken time to send us supportive messages. They have been hugely appreciated by the crew.
"Conditions at sea were extremely difficult and cold for the crew involved in the search who were out all day. Thank you also for those supporting back at the station including shore crew and those supplying hot drinks and turkey sandwiches, it was appreciated."