One of the victims has been named after a search was launched for two people who went missing in stormy seas off a beach in Devon.
The family of Matthew Upham said in a statement on his Instagram page that they are “heartbroken by the loss of our beloved family member… who was lost on Christmas morning”.
“Matthew is deeply loved and will be forever missed,” the statement adds.
Coastguard rescue teams and RNLI lifeboat teams were called to Budleigh Salterton at 10.25am on Christmas Day after the alarm was raised.
A number of people were rescued from the water and checked by paramedics or taken to hospital by the emergency crews.
But two men, aged in their 40s and 60s, have not been found, police said. The search for them was ended on Thursday night.
A spokesman for the coastguard said: “After extensive shoreline and offshore searches, the HM Coastguard part of the search was stood down at 5pm.”
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The family expressed their “heartfelt thanks” to the emergency services who responded.
Devon and Cornwall Police said the families of the men were being kept informed.
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