England rugby star’s car found submerged in water

Former England rugby player Tom Voyce’s car was found submerged in 7ft (2.1m) of water, an inquest has heard.

It is thought the 43-year-old former wing’s car was swept away while he tried to drive across a Northumbrian ford during Storm Darragh last month.

Mr Voyce’s Toyota Hilux was found in the River Aln, four days before his body was recovered from deep water further downstream.

The coroner adjourned the inquest at County Hall in Morpeth and said the hearing would conclude on 1 April.

Mr Voyce won nine caps for England and made 220 Premiership appearances before retiring in May 2013.

Northumberland coroner Andrew Hetherington said Mr Voyce was last seen on the evening of 7 December, when he left the Queen’s Head pub in Glanton.

He had moved to the area with his wife and son, Oscar, after setting up a business.

His wife Anna reported him missing the next morning when she realised he had not returned home, the coroner said.

A search of the River Aln revealed his car, which was unoccupied, had been swept downstream from the ford at Abberwick “as a result of storm water”, Mr Hetherington said.

Searches of the Aln involving the emergency services and volunteers continued and his body was found “in deep water” on 12 December by a member of UK Search and Rescue at Old Abberwick Mill, the coroner added.

Former teammates expressed their shock and sadness when he went missing, including messages from World Cup winners Matt Dawson and Lawrence Dallaglio.

Mr Voyce started his senior playing career at Bath, then spent six years with Wasps where he helped them win European and domestic titles, before leaving to join Gloucester in 2009.

Additional reporting by PA Media