The rugby union community has rallied around the family of missing former England flanker Tom Voyce, who is believed to have died after apparently attempting to cross a swollen river in his car during Storm Darragh.
Northumbria Police said the 43-year-old man is believed to have gone into the River Aln near Alnwick, Northumberland.
Officers are searching for Voyce, who has not been seen since Saturday.
The rugby community has posted online to say their thoughts and prayers are with Voyce’s loved ones.
World Cup-winning England scrum-half Matt Dawson, who played alongside Voyce at Wasps between 2004 and 2006, posted a photo of Voyce on Instagram with the caption: “One of life’s wonderful human beings. ..I can’t express my sadness right now…All of The Dawsons send their love and strength to Anna and the entire family.”
England Rugby said on X, formerly known as Twitter: “Our thoughts and prayers are with Tom Voyce’s family and friends at this extremely difficult time.”
Tom Voyce (pictured), who won nine caps for England, has not been seen since Saturday after disappearing in floodwaters from Storm Darragh.
Voyce had attempted to cross the Abberwick Ford crossing (pictured) over the River Aln near Alnwick, Northumberland, before his car was swept away by the current.
Messages of support have been sent to Voyce’s family, including his wife, Anna (right).
Gloucester Rugby also posted on X, saying: ‘Gloucester Rugby is desperately saddened to hear the distressing news about our former player and friend, Tom Voyce.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Tom’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.”
The British and Irish Lions posted on X saying: “The British and Irish Lions send our sincere thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of Tom Voyce during this deeply distressing time.”
And Premiership Rugby added: ‘Everyone at Premiership Rugby is devastated by the news about Tom Voyce.
“We send our thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.”
Bath Rugby posted on X saying: “Our thoughts and prayers are with Tom Voyce’s family and friends at this incredibly distressing time.”
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “At this time, Tom is suspected of attempting to cross Abberwick Ford in his car, which was then swept away by the current of the river.
“Officers have since recovered his car but sadly Tom has yet to be found.
“It is believed that in his attempts to escape he was swept away and died tragically.”
Police received a report Sunday morning that Voyce, who played fullback or fullback during his career, had not returned home after an evening with friends.
Chief Superintendent Helena Barron, of Northumbria Police, said: “This is an extremely tragic incident and our thoughts are very much with Tom’s loved ones at this time.”
A woman walks alongside a flooded road after Storm Darragh hit the country, in Hereford on Sunday.
Voyce began his career at Bath and the club has sent its “thoughts and prayers” to his family.
Voyce spent six years at Wasps and won the Premiership alongside England World Cup winner Lawrence Dallaglio (left)
‘Our officers continue to support his family and we ask that their privacy be respected.
“Extensive investigations have been carried out since concerns about Tom were raised, including the deployment of specialist teams to search for him.”
Specialist agents from the Marine Section of the force, the Air Service of the National Police, drones and dog trainers have participated in the search.
North Tyne Mountain Rescue volunteers have also been searching alongside Voyce’s family and friends.
Barron added: “Our searches continue but we are facing very difficult circumstances in trying to recover Tom.
‘This is due to conditions including river flow and the significant rise in level due to the exceptionally heavy rainfall we experienced over the weekend.
‘Unfortunately, therefore, we cannot provide any timetable in this regard.
“We would like to thank our colleagues at Mountain Rescue for their continued support and all those who have helped with the searches.”
Those who have carried out the searches have done so in a coordinated manner and are trained or know the area and terrain well.
The public is asked not to attend the site to conduct their own searches.
The spokesperson said Voyce’s wife Anna and his entire family expressed their gratitude for all the help and support from police, friends and the local community in helping to find Voyce.
A spokesperson for Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) said they were called to the scene by Northumbria Police at 2.10pm on Sunday.
Voyce played for Gloucester for three years between 2009 and 2012.
Voyce finished his career at London Welsh before retiring in 2013.
“We assisted with our Swift Water team and provided portable lighting units to assist in the search,” they said.
‘Our teams also secured the car next to the bank.
‘The police have since closed the NFRS.
“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the missing person at this incredibly difficult time.”
Voyce earned 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.