The body of a 47-year-old man has been recovered in the search for two swimmers who disappeared on Christmas Day.
Devon and Cornwall Police said a body was found on the shore at Sandy Bay, Exmouth, at around 8.45am on Tuesday.
The person is believed to be one of two men who went missing during a Christmas Day swim at Budleigh Salterton in Devon.
His next of kin has been informed, although formal identification is yet to take place.
The man got into difficulty in the water amid high winds and rough conditions, alongside antiques dealer Matthew Upham, 63, who remains unaccounted for.
They were among dozens of others who had taken the cold plunge into the sea only to get into serious difficulties within seconds due to huge swells caused by the weather conditions.
Singer Kate Bush, who had known Mr Upham for 30 years, paid tribute to her ‘very dearest friend’ in the aftermath of the tragedy.
The Running Up That Hill singer wrote on her website: ‘He was one of those people who touched everyone he met.
The body of a 47-year-old man has been recovered in the search for two men who went missing during a Christmas Day swim at Budleigh Salterton in Devon
The man got into difficulty in the water amid high winds and rough conditions. Pictured: Floral tributes left close to the beach where the Christmas Day swim took place
‘He was extraordinarily kind, thoughtful and lived life to the full. He was also a great deal of fun.
‘His family are heartbroken and, along with many of his friends, so am I. Matthew was a very strong swimmer. He had a great love for kayaking.
‘He understood that the sea should be respected. It’s so tragic that he lost his life this way.
‘The world has lost someone incredibly special. Thank you, Matthew, for being one of the best friends anyone could have.’
Reports at the time suggested Mr Upham had faced difficulty in the water and had nearly made it back to shore when he spotted a woman in difficulty beyond the surf line.
A friend of 30-years told the Mail on Sunday: ‘Matthew swam back out to reach her but as he did so a huge wave crashed into him and dragged him under. He hasn’t been seen since.
‘He was an exceptionally fit man and someone who swam those waters practically every day but more than that he was an incredibly selfless person.
‘So when he saw that woman in distress, there was only going to be one outcome and that was him swimming straight out to reach her rather than save himself.
Antiques dealer Matthew Upham, 63, (pictured) has still not been accounted for after attending the traditional festive dip off the coast of Budleigh Salterton in Devon
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‘From what I’ve been told, he’d actually made it out of danger initially and was about to reach the beach but turned back when he saw the woman struggling.
‘His friends who were with him watched him go out to her but when the wave came it was so strong, it just dragged him along, he really didn’t have a chance.
‘The woman eventually made it back to shore but Matthew is still missing and hopes of finding alive are fading fast.
‘I think it’s important that people know that the reason he’s missing is because he went back out to save someone – he was a very strong a swimmer who knew that stretch of coast like the back of his hand and not someone who would recklessly put himself at risk.’
Mr Upham ran his antique business in Fulham for many years before relocating to Devon and specialising in chandeliers. He also appeared in several YouTube videos about antiques.
Superintendent Ryan Doyle said: ‘This discovery is very sad news following the upsetting and tragic incident on Christmas Day.
‘We have spoken with his family and we are continuing to support them through this difficult time.
‘Understandably they have asked for their privacy to be respected.
The body of 15-year-old teenager Grace Keeling, who was swept out to sea while wave-watching in Yorkshire, was recovered this week. Pictured: Grace with her mother Sarah
Mark Ratcliffe, 67, drowned after running into the water to help the mother and daughter
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‘The family of the second missing man has also been informed and are being supported.
‘Our thoughts remain with them.’
News of the discovery comes just days after the body of a 15-year-old teenager who was swept out to sea was recovered.
Grace Keeling was pulled into the water at Withernsea Beach in East Riding of Yorkshire on January 2 while wave-watching with her mother Sarah Keeling, 45.
Sarah and Good Samaritan Mark Ratcliffe, 67, rushed to help the stricken teenager, but both were killed after being swept out to sea by waves more than 10 feet high.
Their bodies were found within hours – but difficult weather conditions delayed the recovery of Grace’s body until the end of last week.
Humberside Police, which is leading the investigation into the triple tragedy, said it found her on Thursday January 15 – and was finally able to bring her body back to land on Saturday morning.
Detective Superintendent Simon Vickers said: ‘This was a deeply upsetting incident, and I cannot begin to understand the heartbreak felt by all the loved ones of those involved.
‘We have spoken with Grace’s family and updated them, and we are continuing to support them with specially trained officers at this extremely difficult time.’
An inquest into the deaths of Sarah Keeling and Mr Ratcliffe was opened earlier this month.
