Tom Voyce, former England rugby player, presumed dead after car swept away
According to Northumbria Police, former England rugby union player Tom Voyce, who was 43 years old, is thought to have lost his life after his car went into the River Aln.
The police stated that they got a call on Sunday morning about Voyce, a former player for teams like Bath and Wasps, who had not come back home after spending the night out with friends. According to Northumbria police, it is thought that he tried to drive over Abberwick Ford, but his car was carried away by the river's current. Although the vehicle has been retrieved, the authorities were unable to locate Voyce, and it is feared that he was carried away while trying to get to safety and may have lost his life.
Ch Supt Helena Barron from Northumbria Police expressed deep sadness about the situation, stating: "This is a profoundly heartbreaking event, and we are keeping Tom's family and friends in our thoughts. Our officers are committed to assisting his family, and we kindly request that their privacy be honored. We have been conducting thorough investigations since concerns about Tom were first brought to our attention, which has included enlisting specialized teams to help in the search."
Northumbria Police reported that the intense rainfall from Storm Darragh contributed to the increased water levels of the River Aln over the weekend. In their efforts to find Voyce, the police have sent in specialized officers from their marine unit, along with support from the National Police Air Service, drones, and dog units. Additionally, volunteers from the North of Tyne Mountain Rescue have been searching for Voyce, accompanied by family members and friends.
Barron stated, "We are still actively searching, but the situation is quite difficult when it comes to finding Tom. The river conditions have worsened significantly due to the heavy rainfall we had over the weekend, which has raised the water level dramatically. Unfortunately, this means we can't give any specific timelines for the search. We appreciate the ongoing support from our Mountain Rescue team and everyone else who has assisted in the search efforts."
The individuals conducting the searches have been working together in an organized way and are either experienced or familiar with the local landscape. The public is requested to refrain from coming to the area to carry out their own searches.
The representative mentioned that Voyce's wife, Anna, along with his entire family, is thankful for the assistance and support provided by the police, friends, and the local community in their efforts to locate him.
A representative from the Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) reported that they were alerted to the incident at 2:10 PM on Sunday by Northumbria Police. They stated, “We arrived on the scene with our swift water rescue team and set up portable lighting to aid in the search efforts. Our teams also ensured the car was secured along the riverbank. The police have since released us from the scene. Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the missing individual during this very challenging time.”
Voyce, who played as a winger or full-back, represented England nine times throughout his career. He had a six-year stint at Wasps from 2003 to 2009, contributing to their success in both European and domestic competitions. He transferred to Wasps from Bath and later joined Gloucester in 2009. Over his career, he made 220 appearances in the Premiership before retiring in May 2013.
The England team shared a message on X, expressing: "We are keeping Tom Voyce's family and friends in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time."
Gloucester expressed their deep sorrow upon hearing the heartbreaking news about their former player and friend, Tom Voyce. They shared, "We are thinking of Tom's family and friends as they navigate this incredibly challenging time."
Bath expressed their support by stating, "We are thinking of and praying for the family and friends of Tom Voyce during this very difficult time."
