Everything we know about missing former England rugby player Tom Voyce
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Search teams are still combing the river where Tom Voyce, the former England rugby union player, is thought to have lost his life in a car accident during Storm Darragh.
Northumbria Police reported that the 43-year-old man is believed to have been carried away by the River Aln close to Alnwick in Northumberland four days ago. This incident occurred while the country was under weather advisories due to strong winds.
Although his car has been located, the police have still not been able to find Mr. Voyce.
Authorities suspect that he was trying to navigate across Abberwick Ford when his vehicle was swept away by the strong current of the river, which had risen significantly and become swollen from the heavy rainfall caused by the storm.
Here’s a summary of what we currently know about the ongoing search.
Who Is Tom Voyce? Discover His Story
Tom Voyce, a former rugby winger for England, was born on January 5, 1981, and grew up on his family's farm in Truro. He moved away from Cornwall at the age of 16 to begin his journey with Bath.
Mr. Voyce earned nine caps for the England rugby team from 2001 to 2006, crossing the try line three times. Notably, he scored two of those tries in his debut match at Twickenham against Samoa in 2005.
He is most recognized for contributing to London Wasps’ victory in the Premiership title at Twickenham during his first two seasons with the Adams Park team. In the 2003-04 season, he scored 15 tries in 34 matches, and the team also clinched the Heineken Cup, making it a remarkable year.
The next year, he scored a try in the Premiership final, helping the Wasps secure their third consecutive title by defeating the Leicester Tigers.
After retiring from sports, Mr. Voyce started working as a trader in the city, traveling back and forth from Northumberland, where he made his home with his wife and kids.
Last Seen: Where Was He?
On Sunday morning, the police were alerted that Mr. Voyce had not come back home after spending the night out with friends.
It turned out that he disappeared while crossing the River Aln, just four miles from Alnwick, the small town where his farming business operates.
His 4x4 Toyota Hilux was found about 15 meters downstream from the spot where he attempted to cross the river.
A pedestrian bridge can be found alongside the narrow road, just a few meters before the river, where there's a sign warning about the fording conditions.
Latest Updates On The Search For Tom Voyce
Starting at dawn on Wednesday, police, along with family and friends, came together to search the riverbanks from the crossing between Bolton and Abberwick all the way down to the sea at Alnmouth.
Members of the Marine Unit from Northumbria Police entered the River Aln to conduct a search in the water.
Armed with their sticks, the officers made their way along the river, moving downstream from the shallow crossing.
So far, nothing has been discovered.
Coastguard personnel took part in the search aboard a small boat, along with a specially trained dog.
Why Did He Live In Northumberland?
After stepping away from his demanding job in the city, he sought out opportunities that were nearer to his home in Northumberland.
Returning to his agricultural origins, he established Trevow Vegetation Management, focusing on reducing invasive plant species in the beautiful rolling hills near his residence.
Locals recognized him as a true innovator, as he purchased his first remote-controlled "flail robot" in 2020 to trim hedgerows.
His business has since developed and expanded to include a larger collection of specialized equipment.
He shared with the farming magazine Profi, “Gaining people's trust has taken some time.”
"When it comes to a private estate or property owner, my services may seem costly at first. However, I can finish the task roughly 75% quicker than someone using a strimmer or chainsaw to do the work by hand."
What Was The Weather Like When He Disappeared?
A water level gauge at the crossing indicated that the river was about one foot deep on Wednesday morning. However, it likely rose significantly higher over the weekend during Storm Darragh's impact on the UK.
In Northumberland, winds reached speeds of 58mph along the coastline, and more than 48mm of rain was recorded at Redesdale Camp on Saturday, the day when Mr. Voyce was last spotted.
On Sunday, the council issued a warning stating, “Although the most intense part of the storm has ended, strong winds are still present, creating challenging driving situations. Residents are urged to avoid travel unless absolutely essential.”
The Environment Agency released several flood warnings and alerts, prompting the council's road teams to respond to all three designated flood areas to distribute sandbags as needed.
The small country road linking the village of Bolton to the town of Alnwick crosses over the winding River Aln and is frequently traveled by local farmers.
The road has a weight restriction and there’s a warning sign indicating a shallow crossing ahead. However, this area wasn’t included on any list of roads that were closed when Mr. Voyce went missing.
The Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service Fire Control reported that they handled several incidents over the weekend, including downed trees, power outages, and flooding on roads caused by surface water.
They stated that there were no reports of any homes being flooded.
Tom Voyce's Family And Teammates React To Disappearance
The Voyce family, along with his wife Anna, has asked for some privacy as they focus on the important search for their father.
A cluster of roses has been set down by the riverbank to honor the winger's remarkable international career.
The rugby union community is profoundly saddened by the rumors of his death.
Matt Dawson, the England scrum-half who won the World Cup, shared a photo of Mr. Voyce on Instagram. Dawson, who was teammates with him at Wasps from 2004 to 2006, wrote: “One of life’s truly great people… I’m struggling to put my sadness into words… All the Dawsons are sending love and support to Anna and the entire family.”
England Rugby shared on X, previously called Twitter: "We are thinking of and sending our prayers to Tom Voyce's family and friends during this very difficult period."
Gloucester Rugby took to X to share their sorrow, expressing: "We are deeply saddened by the heartbreaking news about our former player and friend, Tom Voyce."
"We are keeping Tom's family and friends in our thoughts and prayers during this really tough time."
The British & Irish Lions expressed their sincere condolences to Tom Voyce's family and friends during this incredibly tough time.
Premiership Rugby expressed their heartbreak about the situation involving Tom Voyce, stating that the entire organization is deeply saddened by the news.
"Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends during this difficult time."
Bath Rugby shared on social media: "We are keeping Tom Voyce's family and friends in our thoughts during this very difficult time."
