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Former England international Tom Voyce is presumed dead after going missing over the weekend.
Northumbria Police say they received a report on Sunday that the 43-year-old – who won nine caps for England – had not returned home after being out with friends.
The former Bath, Wasps and Gloucester player is suspected to have attempted to cross Abberwick Ford in Northumberland while in his car before it was “pulled along with the current” of the River Aln.
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The car has since been recovered but Voyce is still missing and presumed by police to have been “swept away and tragically died”.
Voyce, who made his England debut against the USA in 2001, also represented London Welsh before retiring from rugby with immediate effect in May 2013. After retiring, he worked for Investec Bank.
A statement from Northumbria Police on Tuesday reads: “We are searching for a man believed to have gone into the River Aln near Alnwick. Extensive enquiries have been ongoing since we received a report on Sunday that former England rugby international Tom Voyce, 43, had not returned home after being out with friends.
“At this time, it is suspected Tom has attempted to cross Abberwick Ford in his car which has then been pulled along with the current of the river.
“Officers have since recovered his car, but sadly Tom is yet to be found,” the statement added. “It is believed in his attempts to escape he has been swept away and tragically died.
“This is an extremely tragic incident and our thoughts are very much with Tom’s loved ones at this time. We continue to support his family and we would ask that their privacy is respected.
“Our searches continue but we are dealing with very challenging circumstances in trying to recover Tom. Sadly, we can therefore not provide any timescales around this.
“Tom’s wife Anna and all his family have expressed their gratitude for all the help and support from officers, friends and the local community with helping find Tom.
“Those who have been carrying out the searches have been doing so in a coordinated manner and are either trained or know the local area and terrain well. Members of the public are asked not to attend the scene to conduct their own searches.”