Former England rugby player Tom Voyce feared dead after car went into a river
Former England rugby player Tom Voyce feared dead after car went into a river
FILE - Tom Voyce of Wasps, center, is tackled by Perpignan’s Gavin Hume, right, as Perpignan’s David Marty looks on, left, during their European Rugby Cup match in Perpignan, southwestern France, Oct. 28 2006. (AP Photo/Remy Gabalda, file)
FILE - England’s Tom Voyce completes a try despite a tackle from Argentina’s Luccio Lopez Fleming during Churchill Cup Final rugby action in Edmonton, June 26, 2005. (John Ulan/The Canadian Press via AP, file)
Members of a search and rescue team conduct a search operation at Abberwick Ford on the River Aln near Alnwick, north of Newcastle, England for former England rugby player Tom Voyce who is missing, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)
Members of a search and rescue team arrive at River Aln near Alnwick, north of Newcastle, England where former England rugby player Tom Voyce, who is missing, apparently attempted to drive across a section of the river, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)
FILE - Tom Voyce of Wasps, center, is tackled by Perpignan’s Gavin Hume, right, as Perpignan’s David Marty looks on, left, during their European Rugby Cup match in Perpignan, southwestern France, Oct. 28 2006. (AP Photo/Remy Gabalda, file)
FILE - Tom Voyce of Wasps, center, is tackled by Perpignan’s Gavin Hume, right, as Perpignan’s David Marty looks on, left, during their European Rugby Cup match in Perpignan, southwestern France, Oct. 28 2006. (AP Photo/Remy Gabalda, file)
FILE - England’s Tom Voyce completes a try despite a tackle from Argentina’s Luccio Lopez Fleming during Churchill Cup Final rugby action in Edmonton, June 26, 2005. (John Ulan/The Canadian Press via AP, file)
FILE - England’s Tom Voyce completes a try despite a tackle from Argentina’s Luccio Lopez Fleming during Churchill Cup Final rugby action in Edmonton, June 26, 2005. (John Ulan/The Canadian Press via AP, file)
Members of a search and rescue team conduct a search operation at Abberwick Ford on the River Aln near Alnwick, north of Newcastle, England for former England rugby player Tom Voyce who is missing, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)
Members of a search and rescue team conduct a search operation at Abberwick Ford on the River Aln near Alnwick, north of Newcastle, England for former England rugby player Tom Voyce who is missing, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)
Members of a search and rescue team arrive at River Aln near Alnwick, north of Newcastle, England where former England rugby player Tom Voyce, who is missing, apparently attempted to drive across a section of the river, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)
Members of a search and rescue team arrive at River Aln near Alnwick, north of Newcastle, England where former England rugby player Tom Voyce, who is missing, apparently attempted to drive across a section of the river, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)
NORTHUMBERLAND, England (AP) — Former England rugby international Tom Voyce is missing and feared dead after his car was recovered from a flood-swollen river, police said Tuesday.
Northumbria Police believe the 43-year-old Voyce attempted to drive across a section of the River Aln near Alnwick, a town about 30 miles north of Newcastle, when his car was caught in the current.
“Officers have since recovered his car, but sadly Tom is yet to be found,” police said in statement on X. “It is believed in his attempts to escape he has been swept away and tragically died.”
Police received a report Sunday morning that Voyce had not returned to his home from the previous evening, when he was out with friends.
Police said it had carried out extensive enquiries.
Voyce, who played wing and fullback, won nine caps for England from 2001 to 2006. He played for Wasps from 2003 to 2009, winning European and domestic titles. He also played for Bath and Gloucester, making 220 Premiership appearances before retiring in May 2013.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Tom Voyce at this extremely challenging time,” England Rugby posted on X.
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