Mike Tindall pays tribute to Tom Voyce as police discover physique in seek for ex-England rugby star after his automobile was swept away in Storm Darragh floods

Mike Tindall has paid tribute to his England teammate Tom Voyce – who is feared dead after his car was swept away trying to cross a river ford during Storm Darragh.

The former rugby union player, who is married to Princess Anne‘s daughter Zara Tindall, joined fellow athlete James Haskell in a tribute to their ‘incredible’ friend.

‘He epitomised rugby as a game for all shapes and sizes, punching well above his weight,’ Mike said, in an Instagram statement shared by the The Good The Bad & The Rugby podcast. 

‘His ability to break tackles and his durability were exceptional. He was a great character off the pitch.’

James added that Tom was ‘a teammate, a friend and an incredible player’ as well as ‘someone he admired who always punched above his weight’. 

‘He will be sorely missed by everybody.’

A body has been found in the search for Tom after his car got swept into a fast-flowing river during Storm Darragh. 

The 43-year-old athlete had tried to cross Abberwick Ford over the River Aln near Alnwick, Northumberland, before his vehicle was swept away with the current on Saturday night. 

The sportsman won nine caps for England during his career, and in club rugby played for teams including London Wasps, Bath, and Gloucester.   

After four days of extensive searches, specialist officers made the tragic find in the river near Abberwick Mill today – close to where Mr Voyce was swept away. 

Formal identification is yet to take place but his family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers. 

Chief Superintendent Helena Barron, of Northumbria Police, said: ‘This is an extremely sad development and our thoughts very much continue to be with Tom’s loved ones.

‘I would like to thank all of our officers, partners and volunteers for their assistance throughout the searches which have been conducted in very challenging circumstances.

‘We would continue to ask that people respect the family’s privacy at this time.’

Officers do not believe there to be any third-party involvement and a report will be prepared for the coroner.

Police launched a search for the England wing on Sunday morning after he never returned home from an evening with friends. 

His Toyota Hilux was then recovered but Mr Voice remained missing, with searchers gathering each morning to scour the banks of the river from the ford between Bolton and Abberwick, all the way to the sea at Alnmouth.

The operation included specialist officers from the force’s Marine Section, the National Police Air Service, drones and dog handlers. Volunteers also looked for the rugby player alongside his family and friends – including his wife Anna Wood, who he married in 2015. 

Storm Darragh devastated the UK over the weekend after 96mph winds crushed cars, wrecked homes and uprooted trees, while heavy downpours caused rivers to burst their banks and flood the streets of nearby towns. 

Northumbria Police said the ‘exceptionally heavy rain’ from Storm Darragh had ‘significantly’ increased the River Aln’s water level and flow, making it unsafe to cross. 

Mr Voyce was born in Truro, Cornwall, and went on to be educated at Penair School in Truro. He continued his education at King’s College in Taunton.

Outside of rugby he was an ambassador of the Wooden Spoon Society, a children’s charity. It supports kids and young people with disabilities or living in disadvantage in the UK and Ireland.

The star started his playing career with Bath Rugby, working his way up through the lower sides before debuting for their Premiership team.

While at Bath he became an established member of the England under-21 side and in 2001 he made his senior England debut against the USA – his first of nine.

In 2003, after 55 appearances with Bath, Mr Voyce would go on to join London Wasps, where he would play the majority of his senior club rugby.

During the 2004 season he set the record for the quickest try ever scored as he gathered a loose ball from kick off and crossed by the posts in 9.63 against Harlequins.

He also scored a try in the 2005 Premiership rugby final, helping Wasps secure their third consecutive title.

It is here that he became an established member of the England team, having been selected for each of England’s Six Nations matches during the 2006 tournament.

Mr Voyce came off the bench in England’s opening tie, scoring in the process before starting in the second match.

He made a further start for England in the 2006 Six Nations this time against Ireland as England sputtered throughout the tournament.

His final England cap came against Australia in Sydney, in a performance he admitted himself was quite poor, and his international career ended with nine caps and 15 points.

In March 2009, it was announced Mr Voyce would join Gloucester, where he spent three years.

His final stop in his career was London Welsh who he joined in April 2012, with the sportsman announcing his retirement from all forms of Rugby in May 2013

Mr Voyce’s disappearance has deeply upset the rugby union community.

Matt Dawson, who played alongside Mr Voyce at Wasps, posted a photo of Mr Voyce on Instagram alongside the caption: ‘One of life’s wonderful humans… I can’t express my sadness right now… All the Dawsons send their love & strength to Anna and the whole family.’   

England Rugby said on X, formerly Twitter: ‘Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Tom Voyce at this extremely challenging time.’ 

Gloucester Rugby also posted on X, writing: ‘Gloucester Rugby is desperately sad to hear the distressing news regarding our former player and friend, Tom Voyce. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Tom’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.’