Body discovered off coast of Devon regarded as second lacking Christmas Day swimmer
The body of a man was recovered from the sea off Exmouth in Devon today following a major emergency services operation, with police believing it may be that of a 64-year-old from Budleigh Salterton
Two swimmers went missing at Budleigh Salterton on Christmas morning(Image: DevonLive)
The body of the second swimmer who vanished in Budleigh Salterton on Christmas Day is believed to have been discovered.
The man’s body was retrieved from the sea off Exmouth in Devon following a large-scale emergency services operation this afternoon (January 25). It is suspected to be that of 63 year old Matthew Upham, one of two swimmers who disappeared in turbulent waters at Budleigh Salterton on Christmas morning.
Police and coastguard were spotted near Orcombe Point at Exmouth today, as reported by DevonLive. Eyewitnesses noted a cordon blocking access to Sandy Bay from Orcombe Point.
One local dweller reported seeing two marked and one unmarked police cars, along with three marked coastguard vehicles.
Devon and Cornwall Police have confirmed that a man’s body was recovered along the shoreline earlier today. A representative for the force stated: “Emergency services were called shortly before 3pm on Sunday 25 January to Exmouth Beach following a report of a possible body seen near the shore.”
“The body of a man has since been recovered. Formal identification is yet to take place, but the family of a 64-year-old man from Budleigh Salterton have been informed of this development.”
Earlier this week, it’s believed that the body of a missing swimmer was found washed up on the beach at Sandy Bay in Exmouth. The police and coastguard were alerted to the scene at 8.45am on Tuesday (January 20).
Although formal identification is still pending, officers suspect the individual to be the 47 year old man who tragically failed to return to shore at Budleigh Salterton.
The name of the 47 year old man has not been disclosed to the public. His next-of-kin have been notified.
The two swimmers had been in the sea at Budleigh Salterton, with large waves reported. There had been no sign of either swimmer but one was named locally when a body was found at Exmouth, as Matthew Upham, 63, an antiques dealer.
