Kate Bush is remembering her late friend.
The “Running Up That Hill” singer paid tribute to Matthew Upham in an emotional statement on her official website on Sunday.
Upham, an antiques dealer, tragically died while swimming in the English Channel off the coast of Devon, England, on Dec. 25.
“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,” Bush, 67, began. “Matthew was one of my very dearest friends. I’d known him for thirty years.”
She continued, “He was one of those people who touched everyone he met. He was extraordinarily kind, thoughtful and lived life to the full. He was also a great deal of fun.”
The English singer went on to say that she was “heartbroken” in the wake of her close friend’s death, and it was “so tragic that he lost his life” the way he did.
“The world has lost someone incredibly special,” Bush ended her message. “Thank you Matthew, for being one of the best friends anyone could have.”
The police were called after two people were reported missing during a group Christmas Day swim at Budleigh Salterton beach last week, according to the BBC.
Although several swimmers “were safely recovered to shore and checked either by paramedics at the scene or taken to hospital as a precaution,” the outlet reported that a search operation to find Upham and another individual was called off on Christmas night.
“I’ve never quite witnessed anything like this,” a Devon resident said shortly after the tragedy. “It’s very shocking and it’s sad – particularly on Christmas Day.”
Another resident named Mike Brown, who also participated in the group swim to celebrate the holiday, told the outlet that he was “unable to get out” until “two very brave men” came to his rescue.
“I think it was a bit of herd mentality and Christmas spirit that resulted in 100 other people – like me – making the wrong decision,” the 60-year-old acknowledged. “We should never have gone in.”
Upham’s family later confirmed the antique dealer’s passing and paid tribute to their late loved one in a touching Instagram post.
“Our family is heartbroken by the loss of our beloved family member Matthew Upham, who was reported missing on Christmas Morning,” they wrote. “Matthew is deeply loved and will be forever missed.”
Upham’s family continued, “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.”
