Rugby world sends prayers for Tom Voyce with ex-England star presumed dead after going missing in Storm Darragh floods
The rugby community has rallied around the family of missing former England winger Tom Voyce, who is believed to have died after trying to cross a flood-swollen river in his car during Storm Darragh.
Northumbria Police said the 43-year-old is believed to have entered the River Aln near Alnwick, Northumberland.
Officers are searching for Voyce, who has not been seen since Saturday.
The rugby community has posted online to say their thoughts and prayers are with Voyce’s loved ones.
World Cup-winning England scrum-half Matt Dawson, who played alongside Voyce at Wasps between 2004 and 2006, posted a photo of Voyce on Instagram with the caption: ‘One of life’s great people… I can’t express my sadness right now … All the Dawsons send their love and strength to Anna and the entire family.”
England Rugby said on X, formerly known as Twitter: ‘Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Tom Voyce at this extremely challenging time.’
Tom Voyce (pictured), who won nine caps for England, has not been seen since Saturday after he went missing during the Storm Darragh floods
Voyce had attempted to cross the Abberwick Ford (pictured) cross over the River Aln at Alnwick, Northumberland, before his car was swept away by the current.
Messages of support have been sent to Voyce’s family, including his wife Anna (right)
Gloucester Rugby also posted on
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Tom’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.”
British & Irish Lions posted on
And Premiership Rugby added: ‘Everyone at Premiership Rugby is devastated by the news about Tom Voyce.
“We send our thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.”
Bath Rugby posted on X and said: ‘Our thoughts and prayers are with Tom Voyce’s family and friends at this incredibly painful time.’
A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said: ‘It is currently believed that Tom attempted to cross Abberwick Ford in his car, which was then swept away by the current of the river.
‘Officers have since recovered his car, but unfortunately Tom has not yet been found.
“It is believed he was swept away during his escape attempts and tragically died.”
Police received a report on Sunday morning that Voyce, who played fullback or fullback during his career, had not returned to his home after an evening with friends.
Chief Inspector Helena Barron, of Northumbria Police, said: “This is an extremely tragic incident and our thoughts are very much with Tom’s loved ones at this time.
A woman walks past floodwaters on a road after Storm Darragh hit land in Hereford on Sunday
Voyce started his career at Bath, and the club has sent its ‘thoughts and prayers’ to his family
Voyce spent six years at Wasps and won the Premier League alongside England World Cup winner Lawrence Dallaglio (left)
“Our officers continue to support his family and we ask that their privacy is respected.
‘Extensive investigations have been underway since concerns were raised about Tom, including the deployment of specialist teams to search for him.’
The search involves specialist officers from the maritime branch of the armed forces, the National Air Police, drones and dog handlers.
North Tyne Mountain Rescue volunteers also joined Voyce’s family and friends in the search.
Barron added: “Our searches continue, but we face very challenging circumstances in recovering Tom.
‘This is due to conditions including river flow and levels which have increased significantly as a result of the exceptionally heavy rainfall we experienced over the weekend.
‘Unfortunately we cannot provide a timetable for this.
‘We would like to thank our colleagues at Mountain Rescue for their continued support and everyone who assisted with the searches.’
Those who conducted the searches did so in a coordinated manner and were trained or knew the area and terrain well.
The public is asked not to be present on site to conduct searches themselves.
The spokesperson said Voyce’s wife Anna and his entire family have expressed their gratitude for all the help and support from police, friends and the local community in finding Voyce.
A spokesperson for Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) said they were called to the scene by Northumbria Police at 2.10pm on Sunday.
Voyce played for Gloucester for three years between 2009 and 2012
Voyce finished his career with London Welsh before retiring in 2013
“We attended with our Swift Water Team and provided portable lighting units to assist the search,” they said.
‘Our teams also secured the car to the bank.
‘NFRS has now been lifted by the police.
“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the missing person at this incredibly difficult time.”
Voyce won nine caps for England during his career and spent six years at Wasps, from 2003 to 2009, where he helped them win European and domestic titles. He moved there from Bath and then moved to Gloucester in 2009.
He made a total of 220 Premiership appearances before retiring in May 2013.