Former England rugby player Tom Voyce missing presumed dead after car went into river

10 December 2024, 17:06 | Updated: 10 December 2024, 18:20

A former England rugby player is believed to have died after going into a river in his car in Northumberland.

Northumbria Police said officers received a report on Sunday morning that Tom Voyce, 43, who played for clubs including Bath and London Wasps, had not returned home after an evening with friends on Saturday.

The force said it is believed he attempted to cross Abberwick Ford - about 3 miles (5km) from Alnwick - in his car when the vehicle was pulled along with the current of the River Aln.

The area had recently been hit by Storm Darragh, which brought strong winds and heavy rain to parts of the UK over the weekend.

Police have since recovered the car, but officers have not found Voyce.

It is believed he was carried away by the river while attempting to escape the vehicle and is presumed by police to have died.

Chief Superintendent Helena Barron, from Northumbria Police, said: "This is an extremely tragic incident, and our thoughts are very much with Tom's loved ones at this time.

"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."

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Volunteers from the North of Tyne Mountain Rescue have also been searching alongside Voyce's family and friends.

A police spokesperson said Voyce's wife Anna and all his family have expressed their gratitude for all the help and support from the police, friends and the local community in helping to try and find him.

However, the force urged members of the public not to attend the scene to conduct their own searches.

A Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) spokesperson said they were called to the scene at 2.10pm on Sunday by Northumbria Police.

"We attended with our Swift Water Team and provided portable lighting units to assist the search," they said.

"Our teams also secured the car to the bankside. NFRS has since been stood down by the police.

"Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the missing person at this incredibly difficult time."

Voyce won nine caps for England during his career.

England Rugby said in a statement on the X social media platform: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Tom Voyce at this extremely challenging time."

In club rugby, he spent six years at Wasps, from 2003 to 2009, where he helped them win European and domestic titles, moving there from Bath and then leaving to join Gloucester in 2009.

He made a total of 220 Premiership appearances before retiring in May 2013.

(c) Sky News 2024: Former England rugby player Tom Voyce missing presumed dead after car went into river