Searches continue for missing former England winger Tom Voyce, who is he? He must be believed to be dead while driving across the swollen river in Storm Darragh. The 43-year-old’s car was recovered from the river Aln, near Alnwick, Northumbria, where he had tried to cross.
The searchers gathered from early morning on Wednesday and will be traversing the banks of the river from the ford between Bolton and Abberwick to Alnmouth sea.
A water level indicator at the ford showed the river was still around one foot high on Wednesday morning, but would have been much higher at the weekend when Storm Darragh hit the UK. A bunch of red roses left at the ford of the river.
Voyce has not been seen since Saturday and her suspicious death has shocked the rugby union community. World Cup winning England scrum-half Matt Dawson, who played alongside Voyce at Wasps between 2004 and 2006, posted a picture of Voyce on Instagram with the caption: “One of life’s most amazing people… I can’t express my sadness right now. All the Dawsons love & strength They send Anna and all her family.
England Rugby said at 10: Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Tom Voyce at this extremely challenging time. Gloucester Rugby also sent a statement, saying: “Gloucester Rugby is deeply saddened to hear the sad news about our former player and friend Tom Voyce. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Tom’s family and friends at this incredible time.”
A Northumbria police spokesman said: “At this time, it is suspected that Tom Abberwick tried to cross Ford in his car, which was then distracted with the rush of the river. Officers recovered the car after the car, but the sad Tom is still to be found. It is believed that he was kidnapped while trying to escape and died tragically” .
Police reported on Sunday morning that Voyce, who drove the horn or back on his run, did not return to his home after an evening with friends. Chief Superintendent Helen Barron, of Northumbria Police, said: “Our teachers continue to support their families and we ask that their privacy be respected. Extensive searches have been ongoing since concerns were raised for Tom, including the deployment of specialist teams to search for him.
The investigation included specialist officers from the force’s Marine Section, the Air Ministry’s National Police, drones and canine tractors. Volunteers from the north of Mount Tini Liberi and Northumbria The National Park Mountain Rescue Team also sought out Voyce’s family and friends.
Members of the public are asked not to attend the scene to carry out their investigations. A police spokeswoman said Voyce’s wife Anna and the entire family expressed their gratitude for all the help and support from police, friends and the local community in helping Voyce be found.
Voyce won nine England caps during his career and spent six years at Wasps from 2003 to 2009, where he helped them win the European and domestic titles, moving there from Bath and then leaving to join Gloucester in 2009. He made a total of 220 Premiership appearance before his death in May 2013.