Specialist officers looking for lacking former England rugby participant Tom Voyce have discovered a physique near the place he was swept away whereas attempting to drive throughout a flood-swollen river, police have mentioned.
Considerations had been raised for the 43-year-old ex-wing on Sunday after he did not return dwelling after being out with associates on Saturday.
His Toyota Hilux was recovered downstream from Abberwick Ford on the River Aln exterior Alnwick, Northumberland, and police suspected he was swept away whereas attempting to flee the automobile.
Storm Darragh
The river stage was notably excessive on the weekend when Storm Darragh lashed the UK.
A significant search operation was launched involving Northumbria Police, drones, the police helicopter, coastguard officers and the North of Tyne and Northumberland Nationwide Park Mountain Rescue Groups. Household and associates of the much-loved former rugby participant additionally joined the search.
Northumbria Police mentioned they confronted “very difficult situations, not least as a result of river circulate and the extent being considerably heightened after the exceptionally heavy rain skilled over the weekend”.
On Thursday, specialist officers from Northumbria Police’s Marine Unit made the unhappy discover within the river close to Abberwick Mill.
The power mentioned formal identification was but to happen however Voyce’s subsequent of kin have been notified and had been being supported by specialist officers.
Police Assertion
Chief Superintendent Helena Barron, of Northumbria Police, mentioned: “That is a particularly unhappy improvement and our ideas very a lot proceed to be with Tom’s family members.
“I wish to thank all of our officers, companions and volunteers for his or her help all through the searches which have been performed in very difficult circumstances.
“We might proceed to ask that folks respect the household’s privateness right now.”
Officers don’t imagine there to be any third-party involvement and a report will likely be ready for the coroner.
The world of rugby expressed its shock and disappointment when he went lacking, together with messages from World Cup winners Matt Dawson and Lawrence Dallaglio, who misplaced his sister within the Marchioness catastrophe within the Thames in 1989.
Voyce gained 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, shifting there from Tub after which leaving to hitch Gloucester in 2009.
He made 220 Premiership appearances earlier than retiring in Might 2013.
It was understood Voyce, who was raised in Cornwall, relocated to Northumberland just lately after residing in London.
