The previous England rugby union worldwide Tom Voyce, 43, is believed to have died after going into the River Aln in his automobile, Northumbria police have mentioned.
The power mentioned officers obtained a report on Sunday morning that Voyce, who performed for golf equipment together with Tub and Wasps, had not returned dwelling after a night with mates. Northumbria police mentioned it’s believed he tried to cross Abberwick Ford in his automobile, which was then pulled together with the present of the river. The automobile has since been recovered however officers didn’t discover Voyce and it’s believed he was swept away whereas trying to flee and has died.
Ch Supt Helena Barron, from Northumbria police, mentioned: “That is an especially tragic incident, and our ideas are very a lot with Tom’s family members at the moment. Our officers proceed to assist his household and we’d ask that their privateness is revered. Intensive inquiries have been ongoing since considerations have been raised for Tom, together with deploying specialist groups to seek for him.”
Northumbria police mentioned the heavy rain introduced by Storm Darragh performed an element in elevating the extent of the River Aln over the weekend. The power has deployed specialist officers from its marine part alongside the Nationwide Police Air Service, drones and canine handlers within the seek for Voyce, whereas volunteers from the North of Tyne Mountain Rescue have additionally been wanting, joined by members of Voyce’s household and mates.
Barron added: “Our searches proceed however we’re coping with very difficult circumstances in attempting to recuperate Tom. That is all the way down to the situations, together with the river move and the extent being considerably heightened because of the exceptionally heavy rain we skilled over the weekend. Sadly, we are able to subsequently not present any timescales round this. We want to thank our colleagues from Mountain Rescue for his or her continued assist and all those that have helped with the searches.”
Those that have been finishing up the searches have been doing so in a coordinated method and are both educated or know the native space and terrain effectively. Members of the general public are requested to not attend the scene to conduct their very own searches.
The spokesperson mentioned Voyce’s spouse, Anna, and all his household have expressed their gratitude for all the assistance and assist from the police, mates and the local people in serving to discover him.
A Northumberland Hearth and Rescue Service (NFRS) spokesperson mentioned they have been known as to the scene at 2.10pm on Sunday by Northumbria police. “We attended with our swift water group and supplied transportable lighting models to help the search,” they mentioned. “Our groups additionally secured the automobile to the bankside. NFRS has since been stood down by the police. Our ideas are with the household and mates of the lacking particular person at this extremely troublesome time.”
Voyce, a wing or full-back, received 9 caps for England throughout his profession and spent six years at Wasps from 2003 to 2009, the place he helped them win European and home titles, shifting there from Tub after which leaving to affix Gloucester in 2009. He made a complete of 220 Premiership appearances earlier than retiring in Might 2013.
A put up on X from the England group’s account learn: “Our ideas and prayers are with the household and mates of Tom Voyce at this extraordinarily difficult time.”
Gloucester posted that they have been “desperately unhappy to listen to the distressing information concerning our former participant and pal, Tom Voyce”, including: “Our ideas and prayers exit to Tom’s household and mates at this extremely troublesome time.”
Tub echoed these messages by posting: “Our ideas and prayers are with the household and mates of Tom Voyce at this extremely distressing time.”
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