Northumbria Police are investigating the disappearance of former England rugby international Tom Voyce, who is feared to have drowned after his car was swept away by floodwaters in Northumberland during Storm Darragh.
The 43-year-old, who has not been seen since Saturday night, was last known to be with friends before he attempted to cross Abberwick Ford near Alnwick, where heavy rainfall had caused the river to swell dramatically.
Police launched a search for Voyce on Sunday afternoon after he failed to return home. It is believed that the former professional rugby player tried to navigate the flooded ford in his vehicle, which was caught by the powerful current.
Authorities have since recovered the car, but it is feared that Voyce may have been swept away in his attempts to escape the flooding. A spokesperson for Northumbria Police confirmed, “It is believed in his attempts to escape he has been swept away and tragically died.”
The search operation has been extensive, with specialized teams from Northumbria Police’s Marine Section, National Police Air Service, and drones working to locate Voyce.
Additionally, dog handlers and volunteers from the Northumberland Mountain Rescue teams have joined in the search effort.
Members of Voyce’s family and friends have also been involved, with his wife, Anna, expressing gratitude for the support of the police and the local community during this difficult time.
In a statement, 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 searches continue but we are dealing with very challenging circumstances due to the conditions, including the river flow and the level being significantly heightened due to the exceptionally heavy rain we experienced over the weekend.”
The fire service had been involved in securing Voyce’s vehicle to the riverbank but has since been stood down from the search. Despite the ongoing efforts, the flooding has made the recovery operation particularly challenging, with the river levels remaining dangerously high.
Tom Voyce, who is originally from Truro in Cornwall, played for Wasps, Bath, and Gloucester during his rugby career.
Capped nine times for England between 2001 and 2006, Voyce retired from professional rugby in 2013 and had been living in Alnwick since 2020. The rugby community has rallied around Voyce’s family, with messages of support pouring in from former teams and fans alike.
England Rugby issued a statement saying, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Tom Voyce at this extremely challenging time.”
Gloucester Rugby also expressed their sorrow, calling the news “desperately sad,” while Bath Rugby posted on social media, sending their “thoughts and prayers” to Voyce’s loved ones.
As the search continues, the local community remains hopeful, but the circumstances are increasingly difficult, with authorities warning that the flooded conditions may hinder their efforts to locate Voyce.
