The coastguard suspended its search operation at 5pm today for two men who remain unaccounted for following a Christmas Day swim that went wrong on the Devon coast.
Emergency crews rushed to Budleigh Salterton at 10.25am after receiving reports that swimmers were struggling in treacherous waters.
Hundreds of people had assembled along the Jurassic Coast shoreline for the traditional festive dip when conditions deteriorated.
Multiple swimmers found themselves in trouble as severe weather swept the area.
RNLI crews were observed fighting through substantial waves whilst scouring the sea for those in distress.
Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed that several individuals were brought to safety by rescue teams.
Medical personnel provided treatment to two people at the scene, with one individual subsequently transported to hospital suffering injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
HM Coastguard deployed a substantial rescue operation after being alerted at approximately 10am.
According to HM Coastguard: “Exmouth and Beer Coastguard Rescue Teams, RNLI lifeboats from Exmouth, Teignmouth and Torbay and coastguard search and rescue helicopters and fixed wing aircraft were sent to the scene to assist, alongside police and ambulance service.”
The coastguard stated that searches continued throughout the day for the two men thought to still be in the water.
Following thorough searches of both the shoreline and offshore areas, the coastguard element of the operation concluded at 5pm.
A yellow weather warning for wind remained in force throughout the day, running from 4am until midnight.
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The Met Office cautioned that gusts could reach 65mph in certain regions, with potential disruption to transport and power supplies.
Officials had advised people to stay out of the water given the hazardous conditions.
The south-west of England faced battering from powerful winds, whilst a cold health alert was also active.
Several festive swims across Devon and Cornwall were cancelled due to the severe weather forecast.
As night fell and temperatures continued to plummet, local residents expressed growing anxiety about the fate of the two missing men.
The incident came just hours after a yellow weather warning came into place across the region.
The Met Office has issued a yellow wind warning across the South West and Wales between 4am and 11.59pm today.
“East to northeasterly winds will become particularly strong and gusty during Christmas Day, with peak gusts fairly widely of 45-55mph, but 55-65mph along some exposed coasts and to the west of prominent hills,” the Met Office said.
“Given the more unusual wind direction, this may lead to some disruption to transport and power supplies.
“Large waves will be an additional hazard on some coasts.”
The Met Office also warned strong gusts would likely cause public transport delays, short-term loss of power and coastal communities being affected by spray or large waves.
