Former England rugby player missing presumed dead after car went into river

A former England rugby player is believed to have died after going into a river in his car in Northumberland.

Northumbria Police said officers received a report on Sunday morning that Tom Voyce, 43, who played for clubs including Bath and London Wasps, had not returned home after an evening with friends on Saturday.

The force said it is believed he attempted to cross Abberwick Ford in his car, which was then pulled along with the current of the River Aln, about 3 miles (5km) from Alnwick.

Police have since recovered the car, but officers have not found Voyce.

It is believed he was carried away by the river while attempting to escape the vehicle and is presumed by police to have 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."

Voyce won nine caps for England during his career.

In club rugby, he 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.

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