Tom Voyce tragically dies after car plunges into river during storm
- Tom Voyce, a former England rugby player, is feared dead after his car was swept away in the River Aln during Storm Darragh.
- Emergency services have conducted extensive searches for him since the incident, which occurred on December 9.
- The rugby community is mourning his loss, emphasizing the impact he had both on and off the field.
In the UK, the former England rugby player Tom Voyce, aged 43, is feared dead after his car was swept away while attempting to cross Abberwick Ford during heavy flooding caused by Storm Darragh. His vehicle was tragically pulled into the strong current of the River Aln on the night of December 9, 2023, after he left a gathering with friends. Despite extensive search efforts, involving police divers and rescue teams, his body has yet to be recovered, but a body has been found in the search area. Mike Tindall and James Haskell, former teammates of Voyce, have publicly mourned his loss, highlighting his significant contributions to rugby and the impact he had on those around him. His wife, Anna Wood, has expressed gratitude for the community's support during the search efforts but has been warned by police to prepare for the worst outcome. The rugby community has been profoundly affected, with many friends and former colleagues sharing tributes. Voyce, who played as a winger or full-back, had a distinguished career earning nine caps for England and playing for clubs such as Bath, Gloucester, and Wasps. He enjoyed a successful stint at Wasps and was part of teams that won various titles. The incident occurred amid severe weather conditions that resulted in multiple flood warnings across the UK, complicating the already difficult search for his missing body. As authorities and rescue teams continue to search for Voyce, the situation sheds light on the dangers posed by sudden floods and the importance of safety measures in such unpredictable weather. Voyce’s tragic disappearance has left his family and the rugby community grieving, and highlights the need for increased awareness of risk when it comes to flooded roadways.