Rugby community rallies around family as search goes on

Action Images/Reuters Tom Voyce playing for Gloucester, wearing a red and white shirt and carrying a ball. — Former rugby player Tom Voyce, pictured here during his time at Gloucester, has been missing since Sunday

The rugby community has rallied around the loved ones of former England rugby international Tom Voyce, who went missing in an area flooded by Storm Darragh.

Police fear Mr Voyce has died after trying to cross Abberwick Ford, near Alnwick, Northumberland, in his car which was then pulled along by the current of the river.

Matt Dawson, who played alongside Mr Voyce at Wasps between 2004 and 2006, said he could not “express his sadness”.

Premiership Rugby said it was “devastated” and thinking about Mr Voyce’s loved ones.

A search has been ongoing since Sunday lunchtime when the 43-year-old did not return home from an evening with friends.

His vehicle has since been found, but a spokesperson for Northumbria Police said: “It is believed in his attempts to escape he has been swept away and tragically died.”

Search and rescue teams have been scouring the area since Sunday

PA Media Members of a search and rescue team arrive at River Aln near Alnwick, Northumberland. There are four vehicles and people wearing hi-vis jackets standing by them, hills can be seen in the background. — Search and rescue teams have been scouring the area since Sunday

Search teams gathered from first light and are scouring the banks of the river from the ford between Bolton and Abberwick, all the way to the sea at Alnmouth.

Officers from the coastguard joined the search using a dinghy, accompanied by a trained dog.

A water level indicator at the ford showed the river was still around one foot deep, but it would have been much higher at the weekend when Storm Darragh lashed the UK.

Mr Voyce’s car has already been recovered

PA Media Five search and rescue team members crossing the River Aln near Alnwick, Northumberland, on Wednesday in a yellow boat. A dog in the boat is looking out. — Mr Voyce’s car has already been recovered

The rugby community has expressed its support for Mr Voyce’s family.

His wife Anna and family thanked police, friends and the local community for their help and support.

Mr Voyce was capped nine times for England from 2001 until 2006 and played for Wasps, Bath and Gloucester before retiring from the sport in 2013.

World Cup winning England scrum-half Matt Dawson wrote on Instagram: “One of life’s wonderful humans… I can’t express my sadness right now… All the Dawsons send their love & strength to Anna and the whole family.”

Gloucester Rugby said they were “desperately sad to hear the distressing news regarding our former player and friend”.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Tom’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time,” they added.

Mr Voyce was capped nine times for England

Northumbria Police Tom Voyce, smiling. He has short dark hair and wears a pink shirt and dark blazer. — Mr Voyce was capped nine times for England

British & Irish Lions said they sent their “heartfelt thoughts and prayers” to Mr Voyce’s family and friends “during this deeply distressing time”.

Premiership Rugby added: “Everyone at Premiership Rugby is devastated by the news regarding Tom Voyce.

“We send our thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.”

Bath Rugby said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Tom Voyce at this incredibly distressing time.”

Penryn Rugby Football Club, one of Mr Voyce’s first clubs in Cornwall, said: “Our thoughts and prayers go to Tom’s family, friends and everyone affected.”