Former England rugby star Tom Voyce is feared to be dead after his car went into the River Aln.
Northumbria Police have confirmed the 43-year-old, who has lived in Alnwick since 2020, is believed to have died after his car ended up in the Northumberland river following the chaos brought about by Storm Darragh last weekend. Police were alerted on after the former England star failed to return home after spending the evening with friends.
Voyce, who was from Truro, Cornwall, is believed to have tried to cross Abberwick Ford in his car, which was then caught up in the current of the river. The car has been recovered but Voyce has not been found. The ex-Wasps winger is believed to have been swept whilst trying to escape from his car resulting in his death.
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Northumbria Police have utilised specialist search teams using drones, dogs and the National Police Air Service in their search for Voyce. Volunteers from the North of Tyne Mountain Rescue were also out searching for Voyce alongside members of his family and friends, with his wife Anna having thanked everyone for their efforts.
“This is an extremely tragic incident, and our thoughts are very much with Tom’s loved ones at this time,” Chief Superintendent Helena Barron, of Northumbria Police, said.
“Our officers continue to support his family and we would ask that their privacy is respected. Extensive inquiries have been ongoing since concerns were raised for Tom, including deploying specialist teams to search for him.”
(Image: David Rogers/Getty Images)
She added: “Our searches continue but we are dealing with very challenging circumstances in trying to recover Tom. This is down to the conditions, including the river flow and the level being significantly heightened due to the exceptionally heavy rain we experienced over the weekend.
“Sadly, we can therefore not provide any timescales around this. We would like to thank our colleagues from Mountain Rescue for their continued support and all those who have helped with the searches.”
(Image: PA Archive)
During his impressive career, Voyce was a Premiership Rugby star, turning out for Bath, London Wasps and Gloucester before finishing his playing days up with London Welsh in 2013.
He made nine appearances for England, the first of which came back in 2001 against the USA. He would go on to play against the likes of New Zealand and Australia in 2004, Samoa in 2005 before enjoying a run in the England side in 2006 during the Six Nations where he featured against everyone but Scotland.