A major search and rescue operation for two men missing in the sea off the Devon coast has been called off as darkness fell on Christmas Day. The men, aged in their 40s and 60s, are believed to have been in the water in the Budleigh Salterton area.
Major Emergency Response on Christmas Morning
Devon and Cornwall Police were alerted at 10.25am on 25 December following serious concerns for people in the water. A large-scale emergency response was immediately launched, involving multiple agencies.
Exmouth and Beer Coastguard Rescue Teams were deployed, alongside RNLI lifeboats from Exmouth, Teignmouth, and Torbay. Coastguard search and rescue helicopters also scoured the area, with police and ambulance services providing support on land.
While several people were rescued from the water earlier in the day, the two men could not be located. Their families have been informed of the situation.
Community Impact and Official Statement
Detective Superintendent Hayley Costar from Devon and Cornwall Police addressed the tragic incident. "Today, emergency services have been responding to a truly tragic incident in Budleigh Salterton," she stated.
"The local community will have seen a significant amount of emergency services in the area throughout the day as extensive enquiries have been ongoing." She confirmed that as darkness fell, the sea and air searches had been stood down, though some police enquiries on land would continue.
DS Costar added, "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 be impacted by the incident."
Warnings Issued for Boxing Day Swims
In response to the incident and dangerous conditions, swimmers were urgently asked to avoid participating in Exmouth's traditional Christmas Day swim. Authorities are now extending that warning to Boxing Day.
Police are strongly urging the public not to swim in the sea on 26 December. "There have been weather warnings in place this week and a number of official and un-official swims have already been cancelled," explained DS Costar.
"While there are no official warnings in place for tomorrow, we urge anyone with plans to go swimming in the sea on Boxing Day not to." This advice follows the cancellation of several scheduled Christmas and Boxing Day swims across Devon and Cornwall due to a yellow weather warning for wind.
Dangerous Weather Conditions
The search took place amidst challenging weather. The Met Office had issued a warning for "strong and gusty east to northeasterly winds" on Christmas Day across parts of the South West and Wales.
Forecasters warned that peak gusts could reach 55-65mph along exposed coasts, potentially causing transport disruption and power supply issues. Large waves were cited as an additional hazard.
Furthermore, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has a yellow cold weather alert active for the South West of England, lasting until midday on Saturday 27 December. One social media user, commenting on a police post, supported the swim cancellations, noting, "Our local swim was cancelled and quite right too, the swell is huge and the wind is set to increase."
