Warnings for strong winds were in place at the time of the tragedy and a number of swims in the South West had already been cancelled.
The body of a man who disappeared during a Christmas Day swim in Devon is believed to have been found.
It is thought to be Matthew Upham, one of two men who went missing at Budleigh Salterton last month.
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Formal identification hasn’t yet taken place, but Devon and Cornwall Police said the family of a 64-year-old man from the town had been informed.
The body found on Sunday is believed to belong to Matthew Upham. Pic: Facebook
The force said officers had been called to Exmouth Beach at 3pm on Sunday after reports of a body near the shore.
The body of a 47-year-old who went missing from Budleigh Salterton at the same time as Mr Upham is believed to have been found on Wednesday.
Mr Upham, an antiques dealer, was reported to be an experienced sea swimmer.
Singer Kate Bush was among those who paid tribute, calling him one of her “very dearest friends” and an “extraordinarily kind” man who “lived life to the full”.
In a statement, his family said they were “heartbroken” and that he was “deeply loved and will be forever missed”.
They also expressed “sincere and heartfelt thanks to the emergency services who responded, particularly the RNLI and coastguard, for their dedication, professionalism, and tireless efforts”.
The RNLI said sea conditions off the Devon beach were ‘punishing’. Pic: UKNIP
RNLI crews had described sea conditions on the day as “punishing” and some swimmers who turned up on Christmas morning abandoned the event.
Others went in and a number of people needed rescuing.
Warnings for strong winds were in place at the time and a number of swims in the South West had already been cancelled.
