Household handoutA physique has been discovered within the seek for former England rugby worldwide Tom Voyce, who went lacking in an space flooded throughout Storm Darragh.
Police feared the 43-year-old had died after attempting to cross Abberwick Ford, close to Bolton, Northumberland, in a car which was then pulled alongside by the present.
A search had been ongoing since Sunday, however Northumbria Police’s Marine Unit found a physique close to Abberwick Mill earlier.
Formal identification is but to happen, however Mr Voyce’s subsequent of kin have been notified.
Considerations had been raised after Mr Voyce, who was capped 9 instances for England from 2001 till 2006, had not returned dwelling from being out with buddies on Saturday night.
ReutersNorthumbria Police’s Ch Supt Helena Barron stated: “That is an especially unhappy improvement and our ideas very a lot proceed to be with Mr Voyce’s family members.”
Officers don’t consider there to be any third-party involvement.
The rugby participant’s household and buddies had been concerned within the search alongside the police, mountain rescue groups and the Nationwide Police Air Service.
His spouse Anna and household beforehand thanked police, buddies and the local people for his or her assist and help.
PA MediaThe search was carried out in “very difficult” situations because of the river circulation and stage being heightened after the heavy rain over the weekend, police stated.
Mr Voyce, from Truro in Cornwall, performed for Wasps, Bathtub and Gloucester earlier than retiring from the game in 2013.
He beforehand labored for the financial institution Investec and has been residing in Alnwick since 2020.
Writing on X on Wednesday, Rugby World Cup winner Lawrence Dallaglio stated: “It is probably the most horrific information and all I might say at this juncture is that please allow us to all respect Tom’s household and their struggling proper now and maintain them in all our ideas.”
Matt Dawson, who performed alongside Mr Voyce at Wasps between 2004 and 2006, beforehand stated he couldn’t “categorical his disappointment”.
Premiership Rugby stated it was “devastated” and fascinated by Mr Voyce’s family members.
PA MediaA carol service because of happen at Bolton Chapel, close to to the search, was cancelled on Wednesday.
The Reverend Gill Lonsdale stated: “No one actually has the guts to assemble and sing carols, so it felt the correct determination to not maintain the occasion this 12 months.”