Emergency services were called to Budleigh Salterton beach in Devon on Christmas Day following concerns for people in the water, with two men in their 40s and 60s remaining missing
The search for two individuals feared dead after a Christmas Day swim has been halted, following the release of new footage showing the intense rescue attempts.
Emergency services were alerted at 10.25am yesterday to Budleigh Salterton beach in Devon due to concerns about people in the water.
Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed that several individuals were safely brought back to shore and assessed by paramedics.
However, two men remain unaccounted for, and the Coastguard and RNLI have now ended their searches at the location.
The police reported that the men, aged in their 40s and 60s, were not found during the search and are still missing. Their families have been updated on the situation.
Throughout yesterday, extensive area searches were conducted in an attempt to find them.
Detective Superintendent Hayley Co-star issued a statement last night, said: “Today, emergency services have been responding to a truly tragic incident in Budleigh Salterton.
“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.
“The local community will have seen a significant amount of emergency services in the area throughout the day as extensive enquiries have been ongoing. As dark falls, a number of these searches have been stood down, with some police enquiries on land continuing this evening.
“There have been weather warnings in place this week and a number of official and un-official swims have already been cancelled. 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.”
Devon and Cornwall Police said “A significant amount of emergency service personnel were deployed to the incident and we ask that people do not enter the water for public safety reasons – due to the current weather warnings we ask that this is this is the case today and for any Boxing Day swims.”
”Anyone with any relevant information which may assist police, who hasn’t already spoken to us, is asked to call 101 or report via our website quoting log 191 of 25/12/25. ”.
HM Coastguard reported being alerted around 10am. Exmouth and Beer Coastguard Rescue Teams, RNLI lifeboats from Exmouth and Torbay, and coastguard search and rescue helicopters were dispatched to the scene, along with police and ambulance services.
Crowds of people were spotted congregating at Exmouth and Budleigh beaches for unofficial Christmas Day dips.
Earlier, Devon and Cornwall Police had cautioned people to steer clear of the sea due to ‘an incident in the water’.
The force stated: “Please do not enter the water and avoid the area.
“We are also urgently asking the public not enter the water at Exmouth for the Christmas day swim while emergency services are committed with this incident.”
A weather warning was issued in Devon for wind, cautioning that coastal routes, sea fronts and coastal communities are likely to be impacted by spray and/or large waves.
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