Swimmers planning a traditional New Year's Day plunge have been issued an urgent safety warning following the disappearance of two people in the sea on Christmas Day.
Coastguard's Compelling Safety Plea
HM Coastguard Fleetwood in Lancashire stated it felt 'compelled' to issue lengthy safety advice after the 'tragic' event at Budleigh Salterton in Devon. The two missing individuals are 64-year-old antiques dealer Matthew Upham and a man in his 40s. Extensive searches by the coastguard and RNLI have found no trace of them.
It is believed Matthew may have drowned, with the second man thought to have entered the water in an attempt to rescue him. Several other people were safely helped from the waves and taken to hospital as a precaution.
'Conditions Are Frankly Not Ideal'
In a detailed Facebook post, the coastguard warned that conditions for New Year's Day swims 'are frankly not looking ideal'. The forecast for Thursday includes strong north-westerly winds potentially stirring up powerful waves, with high tides occurring early in the morning and late at night while it is still dark.
The water temperature is currently around 7.2°C, with the air temperature feeling like 3°C due to wind chill. "Your body will cool VERY quickly once you're wet," the warning emphasised. "Cold water shock can affect anyone, even confident swimmers."
Essential Safety Advice for Swimmers
The coastguard issued 17 crucial safety tips for anyone considering a dip. Key recommendations include:
- Joining an organised event where possible.
- Always checking weather and tide times thoroughly.
- Swimming parallel to the shore, not straight out.
- Knowing in plenty of time when to exit the water.
The Met Office predicts winds of up to 29mph with a high of 6C (42.8F) and a 50% chance of rain in Fleetwood for New Year's Day. In Exeter, Devon, there is a similar chance of rain at midday with gusts up to 8mph.
Popular New Year's swim locations in Devon include events at Westward Ho! near Bideford, Saunton Sands near Braunton, and Ilfracombe. In Fleetwood, a tradition of plunging into the chilly Irish Sea has been upheld since the 1990s, often involving fancy dress.
In a separate incident, a search was launched today after two bicycles were found on a beach near Newburn Bridge in Hartlepool. Police, the coastguard, and RNLI crews responded after the bikes were spotted at 1.30am, but no one was found in the water.
A friend of Matthew Upham described him as 'one of a kind, such a nice, cheerful man' with many friends locally, highlighting the personal tragedy behind the safety warnings.
