Two men remain missing in the sea off Budleigh Salterton, Devon, after emergency services responded to reports of people in difficulty on Christmas morning. Multiple rescue teams are continuing search efforts despite challenging weather conditions.
Devon and Cornwall Police were called at 10:25am on December 25 to the beach at Budleigh Salterton. While a number of people have been safely recovered to shore and checked by paramedics, two men are still unaccounted for. Police confirmed: «Two men remain missing at this time and searches and enquiries are ongoing in efforts to locate them»
The next of kin of one man have been contacted. Police stated: «The next of kin of one man have been spoken to. Enquiries to speak to the family of the second man are ongoing, however a local friend has been informed as part of these efforts.»
Major rescue operation deployed
HM Coastguard confirmed it was alerted around 10am. A coastguard spokeswoman detailed the response: «Alerted at around 10am, Exmouth and Beer Coastguard Rescue Teams, RNLI lifeboats from Exmouth, Teignmouth and Torbay and coastguard search and rescue helicopters have been sent to the scene to assist, alongside police and ambulance service.»
The scale of the operation prompted urgent public safety warnings. Police emphasized: «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 the case today and for any Boxing Day swims.»
Dangerous weather conditions
The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for wind across parts of south west England and Wales, in effect from 4am until 11:59pm on Christmas Day. The warning predicted «strong and gusty east to northeasterly winds» with peak gusts of 45-55mph, potentially reaching 55-65mph along exposed coasts.
The Met Office added: «Large waves will be an additional hazard on some coasts.»
Multiple Christmas and Boxing Day swims in Devon and Cornwall were cancelled due to the hazardous conditions. Emergency services specifically urged people not to enter the water at Exmouth for the traditional Christmas Day swim while the rescue operation continued.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
