Police continue to search river ford where ex-England rugby star Tom Voyce last seen trying to cross in Storm Darragh - as rugby community rallies together

The search continues to find former England rugby player Tom Voyce believed to have died after his car got swept into a fast-flowing river during Storm Darragh.


The search continues to find former England rugby player Tom Voyce believed to have died after his car got swept into a fast-flowing river during Storm Darragh.

The sportsman, 43, had tried to cross Abberwick Ford over the River Aln near Alnwick, Northumberland, before his vehicle was swept away with the current on Saturday night. 

Northumbria Police launched a search for the England wing after receiving a report the next morning that he had not returned home following an evening with friends.    

Officers have already recovered his car, amid fears he tried to escape while the vehicle was being carried away by the water. 

Photos taken this morning show police cars and rescue teams at the scene of the flood-swollen river, while loved ones have left a floral tribute to Mr Voyce on the riverbank. 

The search includes specialist officers from the forces Marine Section, the National Police Air Service, drones and dog handlers. Volunteers are also looking for the rugby player alongside his family and friends - including his wife Anna Wood, who he married in 2015. 

The rugby community has rallied around the devastated family, taking to social media to share their support and sadness at the news. 

Matt Dawson, who played alongside Mr Voyce at Wasps, posted a photo of Mr Voyce on Instagram alongside the caption: One of lifes wonderful humans… I cant express my sadness right now… All the Dawsons send their love & strength to Anna and the whole family. 

Members of a search and rescue team look through the River Aln this morning in a bid to find missing Tom Voyce

Members of a search and rescue team look through the River Aln this morning in a bid to find missing Tom Voyce 

Police at the scene at the River Aln this morning during the search to find the former rugby player

Police at the scene at the River Aln this morning during the search to find the former rugby player 

Tom Voyce (pictured) won nine caps for England during his rugby career and spent six years at Wasps, from 2003 to 2009

Tom Voyce (pictured) won nine caps for England during his rugby career and spent six years at Wasps, from 2003 to 2009

Search and rescue members carry a boat amid the search to find sportsman Mr Voyce

Search and rescue members carry a boat amid the search to find sportsman Mr Voyce 

A floral tribute placed down today at the scene of the River Aln, where Mr Voyce was swept away

A floral tribute placed down today at the scene of the River Aln, where Mr Voyce was swept away 

The current scene at the River Aln near Alnwick, Northumberland, which is flooded due to Storm Darragh

The current scene at the River Aln near Alnwick, Northumberland, which is flooded due to Storm Darragh 

England Rugby said on X, formerly Twitter: Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Tom Voyce at this extremely challenging time. 

Gloucester Rugby also posted on X, writing: Gloucester Rugby is desperately sad to hear the distressing news regarding our former player and friend, Tom Voyce. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Toms family and friends at this incredibly difficult time. 

Mr Voyce won nine caps for England during his career and spent six years at Wasps, from 2003 to 2009, where he helped the team 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.  

Storm Darragh devastated the UK over the weekend after 96mph winds crushed cars, wrecked homes and uprooted trees, while heavy downpours caused rivers to burst their banks and flood the streets of nearby towns. 

Northumbria Police said the exceptionally heavy rain from Storm Darragh had significantly increased the River Alns water level and flow. 

A force spokesperson said: At this time, it is suspected Tom has attempted to cross Abberwick Ford in his car, which has then been pulled along with the current of the river.

Officers have since recovered his car, but sadly Tom is yet to be found. It is believed in his attempts to escape he has been swept away and tragically died.

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

Our officers continue to support his family and we would ask that their privacy is respected.

A life boat carrying a search dog on the River Aln this morning amid a desperate search for Mr Voyce

A life boat carrying a search dog on the River Aln this morning amid a desperate search for Mr Voyce 

Mr Voyce tried to cross the flood-swollen river (pictured today) in his car during Storm Darragh

Mr Voyce tried to cross the flood-swollen river (pictured today) in his car during Storm Darragh 

Members of the Police Marine Unit at the scene at Abberwick Ford on the River Aln near Alnwick

Members of the Police Marine Unit at the scene at Abberwick Ford on the River Aln near Alnwick

Two members of a search and rescue team during a search operation at Abberwick Ford

Two members of a search and rescue team during a search operation at Abberwick Ford

Mr Voyce is believed to have died after apparently trying to cross a flood-swollen river in his car

Mr Voyce is believed to have died after apparently trying to cross a flood-swollen river in his car

Five rescue members search the flood-swollen river in a bid to find missing Mr Voyce

Five rescue members search the flood-swollen river in a bid to find missing Mr Voyce 

A group of search and rescue members search the river in hopes to find the former rugby player

A group of search and rescue members search the river in hopes to find the former rugby player 

Former rugby player Mr Voyce pictured with his wife Anna

Former rugby player Mr Voyce pictured with his wife Anna 

Extensive enquiries have been ongoing since concerns were raised for Tom, including deploying specialist teams to search for him.

Those carrying out the searches are doing so in a coordinated manner and are either trained or know the local area and terrain well. 

Members of the public have been asked not to attend the scene to conduct their own searches.

The spokesperson said Mr Voyces wife Anna and all his family expressed their gratitude for all the help and support from the police, friends and the local community in helping find Mr Voyce. 

Mr Voyce was born in Truro, Cornwall, and went on to be educated at Penair School in Truro. He continued his education at Kings College in Taunton.

Outside of rugby he was an ambassador of the Wooden Spoon Society, a childrens charity. It supports kids and young people with disabilities or living in disadvantage in the UK and Ireland.

The star started his playing career with Bath Rugby, working his way up through the lower sides before debuting for their Premiership team.

While at Bath he became an established member of the England under-21 side and in 2001 he made his senior England debut against the USA - his first of nine.

In 2003 after 55 appearances with Bath, Mr Voyce would go on to join London Wasps, where he would play the majority of his senior club rugby.

During the 2004 season he set the record for the quickest try ever scored as he gathered a loose ball from kick off and crossed by the posts in 9.63 against Harlequins.

Mr Voyce (pictured playing for England in 2005) is missing after his car got swept into a fast-flowing river

Mr Voyce (pictured playing for England in 2005) is missing after his car got swept into a fast-flowing river

Mr Voyce attempted driving over the cross Abberwick Ford (pictured) over the River Aln near Alnwick, Northumberland, before his car was swept away with the current

Mr Voyce attempted driving over the cross Abberwick Ford (pictured) over the River Aln near Alnwick, Northumberland, before his car was swept away with the current

Mr Voyce pictured with former England and Wasps captain Lawrence Dallaglio

Mr Voyce pictured with former England and Wasps captain Lawrence Dallaglio

Mr Voyce and Danny Cipriani pose with the trophy after winning the Guinness Premiership Final in 2008

Mr Voyce and Danny Cipriani pose with the trophy after winning the Guinness Premiership Final in 2008

He also scored a try in the 2005 Premiership rugby final, helping Wasps secure their third consecutive title.

It is here that he became an established member of the England team, having been selected for each of Englands Six Nations matches during the 2006 tournament.

Mr Voyce came off the bench in Englands opening tie, scoring in the process before starting in the second match.

He made a further start for England in the 2006 Six Nations this time against Ireland as England sputtered throughout the tournament.

His final England cap came against Australia in Sydney, in a performance he admitted himself was quite poor, and his international career ended with nine caps and 15 points.

In March 2009 it was announced Mr Voyce would join Gloucester, where he spent three years.

His final stop in his career was London Welsh who he joined in April 2012, with the sportsman announcing his retirement from all forms of Rugby in May 2013.

Источник: Daily Online

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