Emergency crews have rushed to Budleigh Salterton

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Emergency crews have rushed to Budleigh Salterton(Image: UKNIP)

Several people have been pulled from the sea by emergency services on beach in Devon. An incident in the water at Budleigh Salterton earlier today saw several swimmers “safely recovered” and checked by paramedics.

The incident was first reported by Devon and Cornwall Police around 10.30am, as they said emergency services were “responding to an incident in the water”. Swimmers planning a Christmas Day swim at Exmouth were told not to go into the English Channel by police.

They later added that several people had been “safely recovered” and were due to be checked by paramedics.

Police said on social media: “Please do not enter the water and avoid the area. We are also urgently asking the public not enter the water at Exmouth for the Christmas day swim while emergency services are committed with this incident.

Several people have been pulled from the water safely and are receiving medical checks

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Several people have been pulled from the water safely and are receiving medical checks(Image: UKNIP)

Police later issued a statement: “Emergency services were called at 10.25am today [25 December] to the beach at Budleigh Salterton following concern for people in the water.

“A number of people have been safely recovered to shore and will be checked by paramedics.

“Coastguard and RNLI crews are continuing search efforts in the water.

Coastguard and RNLI crews are still combing the waters for anyone missing

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Coastguard and RNLI crews are still combing the waters for anyone missing(Image: UKNIP)

“There is a significant amount of emergency service personnel working on this incident and we ask that people do not enter the water along this stretch of coast while this incident is ongoing for public safety reasons.”

The RNLI and Coastguard teams were also called out for the emergency response. The RNLI website confirmed that a rescue boat was launched from Tiegnmouth Lifeboat Station at 10.52am this morning.

In a statement, the Coastguard confirmed it had been alerted to the incident at about 10am on Thursday.

A spokeswoman said: “HM Coastguard is responding to reports of people in difficulty in the water at Budleigh Salterton today, 25 December.

Emergency services rushed to Budleigh Salterton beach

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Emergency services rushed to Budleigh Salterton beach (Image: UKNIP)

“Alerted at around 10am, Exmouth and Beer Coastguard Rescue Teams, RNLI lifeboats from Exmouth, Teignmouth and Torbay and coastguard search and rescue helicopters have been sent to the scene to assist, alongside police and ambulance service.”

The RNLI said lifeboats from Exmouth, Torbay and Teignmouth were tasked to the incident.

A number of Christmas and Boxing Day swims in Devon and Cornwall were cancelled this year because of a yellow weather warning for wind.

The incident comes amid weather warnings for the south west. The Met Office issued a severe wind warning for the region on Christmas Day.

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Police and ambulance teams were on alert as numerous emergency personnel tackled the situation

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Police and ambulance teams were on alert as numerous emergency personnel tackled the situation(Image: UKNIP)

The weather warning is in place from 4am until 11.59pm on December 25 and includes Devon, Cornwall and parts of Somerset in the South West, as well as parts of Wales.

The Met Office said: “East to northeasterly winds will become particularly strong and gusty during Christmas Day, with peak gusts fairly widely of 45-55 mph, but 55-65 mph along some exposed coasts and to the west of prominent hills.

“Given the more unusual wind direction, this may lead to some disruption to transport and power supplies. Large waves will be an additional hazard on some coasts.”