An ‘inspirational’ teacher has been identified as the second victim who died in the Budleigh Salterton Christmas day swim.
Married dad-of-two Tom Johnson, aged 47, from Chelmsford, in Essex, died along with 64-year-old antiques dealer Matthew Upham after they took part in the Budleigh festive dip, which ended in tragedy amid stormy seas.
Married dad-of-two Tom Johnson has been named as the second victim of the Budleigh Christmas swim tragedy.
Image: GoFundMe.
On Wednesday (February 4)) Devon coroner Deborah Arche opened an inquest into the death of the 47-year-old married teacher.
Miss Archer told the Exeter hearing: “Thomas entered the water with other members of the public for a swim at Budleigh Salterton on December 25th.
“While in the water those watching from the beach lost sight of him and he was not seen to emerge from the water.”
She said the body of the father of two was found at Sandy Bay at nearby Exmouth on January 20 – almost a month after the town’s tragedy-hit annual swim.
She added that the precise cause of Mr Johnson’s death has not been established at this time.
The hearing into Mr Johnson’s death, who was born in Boston, Lincs, has been adjourned.
The crowd on Budleigh beach ahead of the Christmas Day swim, where two men in the water went missing amid ‘terrifying’ conditions.
Photo: Fran McElhone.
Mr Johnson taught PE at the independent boarding New Hall School in the village of Boreham.
The fundraiser states: “It was with very great sadness that we learned that Mr Tom Johnson, much-loved Teacher of PE at New Hall School, died unexpectedly over the Christmas period. Tom was a valued and cherished member of our New Hall School community for over 17 years. During that time, he made an outstanding contribution to the Sport Department, with a particular focus on the Prep Divisions, where he inspired countless pupils with his enthusiasm, dedication, and love of sport.
“Tom was an inspirational teacher and a deeply respected colleague. His passion for sport, commitment to young people, and his warm, generous spirit left a lasting impression on students, parents and staff. He brought energy, kindness, and humour to everything he did, and he will be greatly missed by the New Hall community.
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Tom’s wife, their two children, and the wider Johnson family at this incredibly difficult time. Tom’s children were previously pupils at New Hall, making this loss especially close to our community.”
Floral tributes and handwritten messages were left along Budleigh seafront after two Christmas Day swimmers went missing.
Photo: EDN.
The Coastguard searched the shoreline along Budleigh beach after two Christmas Day swimmers went missing.
Photo: Irving of Exeter.
The second victim, Matthew Upham, from Budleigh Salterton is thought to have died as he tried to save a woman in difficulty in the water during the festive dip.
The swim crowd said waves were much larger than had been seen before due to the wind direction.
His friend, singer-songwriter Kate Bush, said Matthew was a ‘very strong swimmer’ who understood the sea.
Matthew Upham, pictured here in 2023, went missing after taking part in the Budleigh Christmas Day swim.
Image: Instagram.
His body was washed up near Orcombe Point, Exmouth, on January 25.
The inquest into Mr Upham’s death has yet to be opened.
