Tom Voyce is believed to have died after apparently attempting to cross a flood-swollen…

The rugby group has rallied round with messages of assist for the household of former England participant Tom Voyce, who’s believed to have died after apparently attempting to cross a flood-swollen river in his automotive.

Northumbria Police stated the 43-year-old is believed to have gone into the River Aln close to Alnwick, Northumberland, which was hit by heavy rain throughout Storm Darragh.

Officers are looking for Voyce, who has not been seen since Saturday.

A pressure spokesperson stated: “Presently, it’s suspected Tom has tried to cross Abberwick Ford in his automotive, which has then been pulled together with the present of the river.

“Officers have since recovered his automotive, however sadly Tom is but to be discovered.

“It’s believed in his makes an attempt to flee he has been swept away and tragically died.”

World Cup-winning England scrum-half Matt Dawson, who performed alongside Voyce at Wasps between 2004 and 2006, posted an image of Voyce on Instagram with the caption: “Certainly one of life’s fantastic people… I am unable to categorical my disappointment proper now… All of the Dawsons ship their love & power to Anna and the entire household.”

Voyce received 9 caps for England throughout his profession and spent six years at Wasps, from 2003 to 2009, the place he helped them win European and home titles, transferring there from Tub after which leaving to affix Gloucester in 2009. He made a complete of 220 Premiership appearances earlier than retiring in Could 2013.

A submit on X from the England staff’s account learn: “Our ideas and prayers are with the household and associates of Tom Voyce at this extraordinarily difficult time.”

Gloucester posted that they have been “desperately unhappy to listen to the distressing information relating to our former participant and good friend, Tom Voyce”, including: “Our ideas and prayers exit to Tom’s household and associates at this extremely tough time.”

Tub echoed these messages by posting: “Our ideas and prayers are with the household and associates of Tom Voyce at this extremely distressing time.”

British & Irish Lions posted on X saying: “The British & Irish Lions ship our heartfelt ideas and prayers to Tom Voyce’s household and associates throughout this deeply distressing time.”

And Premiership Rugby added: “Everybody at Premiership Rugby is devastated by the information relating to Tom Voyce.

“We ship our ideas and prayers to his household and associates.”

Police acquired a report on Sunday morning that Voyce, who performed at wing or full-back throughout his profession, had not returned to his house following a night with associates.

Chief Superintendent Helena Barron, from Northumbria Police, stated: “That is an especially tragic incident, and our ideas are very a lot with Tom’s family members right now.

“Our officers proceed to assist his household and we might ask that their privateness is revered.

“Intensive enquiries have been ongoing since considerations have been raised for Tom, together with deploying specialist groups to seek for him.”

The search has included specialist officers from the pressure’s Marine Part, the Nationwide Police Air Service, drones and canine handlers.

Volunteers from the North of Tyne Mountain Rescue have additionally been looking out alongside Voyce’s household and associates.

Chief Supt Barron added: “Our searches proceed however we’re coping with very difficult circumstances in attempting to recuperate Tom.

“That is right down to the circumstances, together with the river circulation and the extent being considerably heightened as a result of exceptionally heavy rain we skilled over the weekend.

“Sadly, we are able to due to this fact not present any timescales round this.

“We want to thank our colleagues from Mountain Rescue for his or her continued assist and all those that have helped with the searches.”

Those that have been finishing up the searches have been doing so in a co-ordinated method and are both skilled or know the native space and terrain effectively.

Members of the general public are requested to not attend the scene to conduct their very own searches.

The spokesperson stated Voyce’s spouse Anna and all his household have expressed their gratitude for all the assistance and assist from the police, associates and the local people in serving to discover Tom.

A Northumberland Hearth and Rescue Service (NFRS) spokesperson stated they have been known as to the scene at 2.10pm on Sunday by Northumbria Police.

“We attended with our Swift Water Staff and offered moveable lighting models to help the search,” they stated.

“Our groups additionally secured the automotive to the bankside.

“NFRS has since been stood down by the police.

“Our ideas are with the household and associates of the lacking particular person at this extremely tough time.”