Yesterday, our volunteer Exmouth RNLI lifeboat crew raised the alarm with H.M Coastguard as it became apparent that an incident was unfolding involving people in difficulty in the water at Budleigh Salterton.
Alongside volunteers from Torbay and Teignmouth RNLI, we began responding at around 10am on Christmas day to assist in the multi-agency incident that followed.
RNLI lifeboat crews were involved in the recovery of one person from the water and continued to search throughout the day for two people understood to still be in the water. All lifeboat crew were stood down by the Coastguard around 5pm, when they returned to stations.
Our thoughts remain with all those impacted by the incident and the family and friends of the two people who are missing. Thank you to all RNLI volunteers, and members of other emergency services who responded yesterday.
Exmouth RNLI would like to express their gratitude to all those people who have taken time to send us supportive messages. They have been hugely appreciated by the crew.
Conditions at sea were extremely difficult and cold for the crew involved in the search who were out all day. Thank you also for those supporting back at the station including shore crew and those supplying hot drinks and turkey sandwiches, it was appreciated.