UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – English singer Kate Bush expressed deep sorrow after revealing her friend Matthew Upham went missing despite search efforts during a Christmas Day swim in Devon.
As reported by Helen Williams of The Independent, British singer Kate Bush said she is “heartbroken” following the disappearance of her friend while swimming in the sea on Christmas Day in Devon.
What did Kate Bush say about Matthew Upham after he went missing?
Matthew Upham, a 63-year-old antiques dealer, has not been rescued following an emergency operation on Christmas morning in Budleigh Salterton. Authorities were alerted after several people ran into trouble in the rough sea.
Emergency teams successfully rescued numerous swimmers from the rough sea, providing medical care and hospital treatment where needed. Despite this, two men, one in his forties and another in his sixties, remain missing.
According to the Daily Mail, Mr Upham tried to save a woman struggling in the water before being carried off by the current.
On Sunday, the 67-year-old “Running Up That Hill” singer addressed the news on her official website.
She said,
“As you might have heard on the news, Matthew Upham was one of the swimmers who went missing in the sea in Devon on Christmas Day. Matthew was one of my very dearest friends. I’d known him for 30 years. He was one of those people who touched everyone he met.”
Kate Bush stated,
“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.”
She said,
“Matthew was a very strong swimmer. He had a great love for kayaking. He understood that the sea should be respected.”
Bush added,
“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.”
She continued,
“His family are heartbroken and along with many of his friends, so am I.”
How did Matthew Upham’s family and friends react to his disappearance?
A statement on the Instagram account of Matthew Upham’s business said his family is “heartbroken by the loss,” describing him as “deeply loved and will be forever missed.”
It added,
“We would like to express our sincere and heartfelt thanks to the emergency services who responded, particularly the RNLI and coastguard, for their dedication, professionalism, and tireless efforts during this extremely difficult time. We are profoundly grateful for their compassion and support.”
In response to the post, a friend of the antiques dealer described him as “the kindest person,” adding, “The world will miss such a shining star.”
He was remembered by one acquaintance as “a beautiful man with the sweetest soul, always full of kind words,” and by another as “a bringer of joy and an inspiration.”
The organiser of a local community swim group, Sarah Giles, told Facebook followers she was “saddened” by the reports.
She said,
“Budleigh is a very small town, and he made a very big impact on the place. He [Matthew] swam all year-round, he knew what he was doing… we have lost an experienced swimmer.”
Giles added,
“The waves were breaking at 10ft (about 3m) plus… you had two or three waves coming in all together. They were frightening and was washing quite far up the beach.
I watched one person who was kneeling in the damp patch and the next thing he’s having to jump up and run back because there’s a wave sweeping around his feet.
That backwash is just as dangerous. There was a lot of people put in danger that day who I don’t think should have been.”
According to his website, Mr Upham ran Matthew Upham Antiques on the town’s high street by appointment. The business had previously traded in London for 40 years before moving to Budleigh Salterton.
East Devon District Council warned residents to “think twice before taking the plunge this festive season.”
The local authority warned that cold water, strong currents, and changing conditions could quickly turn a swim into an emergency.
The coastguard said that after extensive searches both onshore and offshore, the operation was stood down at 5 pm on Christmas Day.
The police previously confirmed that the families of the missing men are being informed of any developments.
On Boxing Day, a police spokesperson said,
“both men remain missing” following the incident and “inquiries are ongoing.”
Several Christmas swims in Devon and Cornwall were cancelled this year due to a yellow weather warning for strong winds.
What are the famous songs of Kate Bush?
- Running Up That Hill – 1985, Hounds of Love
- Wuthering Heights – 1978, The Kick Inside
- Babooshka – 1980, Never for Ever
- Cloudbusting – 1985, Hounds of Love
- Hounds of Love – 1985, Hounds of Love
