A man who survived the horror Christmas tradition that left two people missing at sea, feared dead, revealed how two brave people saved his life.

Hundreds of people gathered at Budleigh Salterton, in Devon, for an annual festive swim on Christmas day but a group got into significant difficulty while in the water. Witnesses at the scene reported seeing 6ft waves while wind gusts reaching 65mph at the local beach on Thursday.

Mike Brown, one of the swimmers at Budleigh Salterton, revealed how he had to be rescued while experiencing some of the worst conditions he has ever encountered. Mike, 60, said his life was saved by two brave bystanders who rushed into the water while he was battered by huge waves.

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Mike Brown was saved from the Christmas tragedy at Budleigh Salterton(Image: BBC Breakfast)

Speaking to the BBC, the swimmer said: “It was much worse conditions than normal and some of the worst conditions I’ve ever tried to swim in. With hindsight it was clearly a mistake to try and get in.”

Mike, who has lived in Budleigh Salterton for nearly three decades, said he was “unable to get out” after entering the sea on Christmas Day.

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Mike said he was pulled out of the water by two brave bystanders(Image: BBC NEWS)

He said: “After successive waves crashing me into the stones, I managed to get into relatively shallow water, but I was spent. I had no energy left to stand and I’d taken a number of blows to the head.”

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Witnesses reported seeing 6ft waves(Image: Sonia Mullineux / SWNS)

Mike revealed he was saved by two local men who rushed into the water in their clothes to reach him. He said: “These two men without any concern for their own safety waded in to help me.”

The 60-year-old added: “They took an arm each and dragged me to safety and as quick as it had started, it was over, I was on the beach and I was safe.”

Mike sustained minor injures after the swim and was pictured with blood running from an injury on his head. The swimmer said he was trying to find the two brave men so he can thank them for their lifesaving decision.

Emergency services rushed to the beach in Budleigh Salterton after receiving reports at 10.25am that a group of people were in trouble in the water. While a number of people were “safely recovered”, two men are still missing following the Christmas Day horror.

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A tribute left at Budleigh Salterton after the horror on Thursday(Image: William Dax / SWNS)

One of the men feared dead was identified at local antiques dealer Matthew Upham. His family paid a heartbreaking tribute to the “deeply loved” man.

They wrote: “Our family is heartbroken by the loss of our beloved family member Matthew Upham, who was reported missing on Christmas morning. Matthew is deeply loved and will be forever missed.

“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. As we grieve and support one another, we kindly ask that our family’s privacy is respected. We thank everyone for their understanding, kindness, and condolences.”