Budleigh Salterton Swimmer Found | Christmas Day Search Update

(Budleigh Salterton, Devon, January 21, 2026) – Teh body of a 47-year-old man has been recovered after two swimmers went missing on Christmas Day, police said Tuesday.

Authorities recovered the body after a search following the disappearance of two swimmers during a festive swim at Budleigh Salterton, Devon.

• The body of a 47-year-old man was found Tuesday after he and another swimmer went missing.
• The swimmers disappeared during a Christmas Day swim at Budleigh Salterton, Devon.
• Formal identification of the recovered body is still pending, and next of kin have been informed.
• One of the missing swimmers has been named as Matthew Upham, 64, a local antiques dealer.

Officers began searching for the two swimmers on December 25 after they went missing during a traditional Christmas Day swim at Budleigh Salterton, according to police statements.

Did you know? – Christmas Day swims are a long-standing tradition in the United Kingdom, often drawing large crowds. However, conditions can be dangerous due to cold water temperatures and strong currents.

Search and Recovery

The body was recovered on Tuesday, January 21, authorities said. Formal identification is yet to be carried out, but police believe the deceased is a 47-year-old man. His next of kin have been notified, according to the statement.

One of the swimmers has been identified as Matthew Upham, 64, a local antiques dealer, the BBC reported.

The search for the second swimmer is ongoing.

Pro tip – Before participating in open water swimming, always check local conditions, swim with a buddy, and inform someone of your plans. Cold water shock is a serious risk.

The incident began on December 25th when two men participated in the annual Christmas Day swim at Budleigh Salterton beach. the swim,a popular local tradition,attracts dozens of participants each year. Though, shortly after entering the water, the two swimmers were reported missing. Authorities promptly launched a search and rescue operation, utilizing coast guard vessels, helicopters, and local volunteer teams. The search continued for several weeks, hampered by challenging weather conditions.

Matthew Upham, a well-known antiques dealer in the Budleigh Salterton community, was one of the two swimmers. The recovery of the 47-year-old man’s body on January 21st brings a somber end to one part of the search.Police have not yet released the identity of the deceased pending formal identification. The search for Mr. Upham continues, with authorities maintaining hope for his safe return, though acknowledging the passage of time.

Reader question – What safety measures could be implemented to prevent similar tragedies during traditional open water swims? Share your thoughts.

Time.news based this report in part on reporting by BBC News and added independent analysis and context.