Police issue major update on two missing Christmas swimmers off Devon coast

A number of people were safely recovered to shore and checked by paramedics or taken to hospital as a precaution but two men, aged in their 40s and 60s, were not located.

At 1pm on Boxing Day, officers issued an update after the Coastguard called off its search yesterday.

A spokesman from Devon and Cornwall Police told GB News: "Both men remain missing following this incident off Budleigh Salterton beach on Christmas Day.

"Police enquiries are ongoing. A police presence remains at the scene.

"Following extensive shoreline and offshore searches, HM Coastguard stood down its response at 5pm on Christmas Day.

"Anyone with any relevant information which may assist police, who has not already spoken to us, is asked to call 101 or report via our website quoting log 191 of 25/12/25."

A spokesman for the coastguard said last night: "After extensive shoreline and offshore searches, the HM Coastguard part of the search was stood down at 5pm."

A number of Christmas and Boxing Day swims in Devon and Cornwall were cancelled this year because of a yellow weather warning for wind which covered parts of the South West and Wales.

No warnings were issued for Boxing Day but Detective Superintendent Hayley Costar said: "We urge anyone with plans to go swimming in the sea on Boxing Day not to."

Describing the events in Budleigh Salterton as "a truly tragic incident", she had said: "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."

Local resident Julia Robb, who had been watching swimmers at the beach before the men went missing, said: "It is just awful."

She said the waves "would have been at least 6ft I would have thought" and it was only when she later heard helicopters it became clear something was wrong.

Ms Robb added: "It was a sad thing to happen on what had been such a positive morning.I just feel sorry for those who have been affected.

"I think it will be shocking for the whole community. We are a small town. People are very friendly. I think it is important to think of the friends and families of those who have been affected."

Coastguard search and rescue helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, along with police and ambulance personnel, were also sent to the scene.

RNLI lifeboat crews helped recover one person from the water.

A spokesman said: "All lifeboat crews were stood down by the coastguard around 5pm, when they returned to stations.

"Our thoughts are with all those impacted by the incident and the family and friends of the two people who are missing."

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