Former England rugby player Tom Voyce believed to have died trying to cross river | Rugby Union News

Former England rugby participant Tom Voyce is believed to have died after apparently attempting to cross a flood-swollen river in his automotive.

Northumbria Police stated the 43-year-old is believed to have gone into the River Aln close to Alnwick, Northumberland, which was hit by heavy rain throughout Storm Darragh.

Officers are looking for Mr Voyce, who has not been seen since Saturday.

A drive spokesperson stated: “At the moment, it’s suspected Tom has tried to cross Abberwick Ford in his automotive, which has then been pulled together with the present of the river.

“Officers have since recovered his automotive, however sadly Tom is but to be discovered.

“It’s believed in his makes an attempt to flee he has been swept away and tragically died.”

Voyce received 9 caps for England throughout his profession and spent six years at Wasps, from 2003 to 2009, the place he helped them win European and home titles, transferring there from Tub after which leaving to affix Gloucester in 2009. He made a complete of 220 Premiership appearances earlier than retiring in Might 2013.

A publish on X from the England group’s account learn: “Our ideas and prayers are with the household and mates of Tom Voyce at this extraordinarily difficult time.”

Gloucester posted that they have been “desperately unhappy to listen to the distressing information relating to our former participant and pal, Tom Voyce”, including: “Our ideas and prayers exit to Tom’s household and mates at this extremely troublesome time.”

Tub echoed these messages by posting: “Our ideas and prayers are with the household and mates of Tom Voyce at this extremely distressing time.”

Police acquired a report on Sunday morning that Mr Voyce, who performed at wing or fullback throughout his profession, had not returned to his dwelling following a night with mates.

Chief Superintendent Helena Barron, from Northumbria Police, stated: “That is an especially tragic incident, and our ideas are very a lot with Tom’s family members at the moment.

“Our officers proceed to help his household and we’d ask that their privateness is revered.

“Intensive enquiries have been ongoing since considerations have been raised for Tom, together with deploying specialist groups to seek for him.”

The search has included specialist officers from the drive’s Marine Part, the Nationwide Police Air Service, drones and canine handlers.

Volunteers from the North of Tyne Mountain Rescue have additionally been looking out alongside Mr Voyce’s household and mates.

Chief Supt Barron added: “Our searches proceed however we’re coping with very difficult circumstances in attempting to recuperate Tom.

“That is right down to the situations, together with the river circulate and the extent being considerably heightened as a result of exceptionally heavy rain we skilled over the weekend.

“Sadly, we will due to this fact not present any timescales round this.

“We want to thank our colleagues from Mountain Rescue for his or her continued help and all those that have helped with the searches.”

Those that have been finishing up the searches have been doing so in a co-ordinated method and are both educated or know the native space and terrain effectively.

Members of the general public are requested to not attend the scene to conduct their very own searches.

The spokesperson stated Mr Voyce’s spouse Anna and all his household have expressed their gratitude for all the assistance and help from the police, mates and the area people in serving to discover Tom.

A Northumberland Fireplace and Rescue Service (NFRS) spokesperson stated they have been referred to as to the scene at 2.10pm on Sunday by Northumbria Police.

“We attended with our Swift Water Staff and offered moveable lighting models to help the search,” they stated.

“Our groups additionally secured the automotive to the bankside.

“NFRS has since been stood down by the police.

“Our ideas are with the household and mates of the lacking individual at this extremely troublesome time.”