The former England rugby union international Tom Voyce, 43, is believed to have died after going into the River Aln in his car, Northumbria police have said.
The force said officers received a report on Sunday morning that Voyce, who played for clubs including Bath and Wasps, had not returned home following an evening with friends. Northumbria police said it is believed he attempted to cross Abberwick Ford in his car, which was then pulled along with the current of the river. The car has since been recovered but officers did not find Voyce and it is believed he was swept away while attempting to escape and has died.
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 officers continue to support his family and we would ask that their privacy is respected. Extensive inquiries have been ongoing since concerns were raised for Tom, including deploying specialist teams to search for him.”
Northumbria police said the heavy rain brought by Storm Darragh played a part in raising the level of the River Aln over the weekend. The force has deployed specialist officers from its marine section alongside the National Police Air Service, drones and dog handlers in the search for Voyce, while volunteers from the North of Tyne Mountain Rescue have also been looking, joined by members of Voyce’s family and friends.
Barron added: “Our searches continue but we are dealing with very challenging circumstances in trying to recover Tom. This is down to the conditions, including the river flow and the level being significantly heightened due to the exceptionally heavy rain we experienced over the weekend. Sadly, we can therefore not provide any timescales around this. We would like to thank our colleagues from Mountain Rescue for their continued support and all those who have helped with the searches.”
Those who have been carrying out the searches have been doing so in a co-ordinated manner and are either trained or know the local area and terrain well. Members of the public are asked not to attend the scene to conduct their own searches.
The spokesperson said Voyce’s wife Anna and all his family have expressed their gratitude for all the help and support from the police, friends and the local community in helping find him.
A Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) spokesperson said they were called to the scene at 2.10pm on Sunday by Northumbria police. “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 bankside. NFRS has since been stood down 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, 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.
