Searches are persevering with for the lacking former England wing Tom Voyce, who’s believed to have died whereas driving throughout a flood-swollen river throughout Storm Darragh.

The 43-year-old’s automotive has been recovered from the River Aln, close to Alnwick, Northumberland, which he had been attempting to cross utilizing a ford.

Searchers gathered from first gentle on Wednesday and can scour the banks of the river from the ford between Bolton and Abberwick all the best way to the ocean at Alnmouth.

A water degree indicator on the ford confirmed the river was nonetheless round one foot deep on Wednesday morning, however it could have been a lot increased on the weekend when Storm Darragh lashed the UK.

A bunch of pink roses have been left on the riverside by the ford.

Voyce has not been seen since Saturday and his suspected loss of life has deeply upset the rugby union group.

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: “Considered one of life’s great people… I can’t specific my unhappiness proper now… All of the Dawsons ship their love & power to Anna and the entire household.”

England Rugby stated on X, previously generally known as Twitter: “Our ideas and prayers are with the household and pals of Tom Voyce at this extraordinarily difficult time.”

Gloucester Rugby additionally posted on X, saying: “Gloucester Rugby is desperately unhappy to listen to the distressing information concerning our former participant and pal, Tom Voyce.

“Our ideas and prayers exit to Tom’s household and pals at this extremely tough time.”

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

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

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

Bathtub Rugby posted on X saying: “Our ideas and prayers are with the household and pals of Tom Voyce at this extremely distressing time.”

A Northumbria Police 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.”

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

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 at the moment.

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

“In depth inquiries have been ongoing since issues 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 and the Northumberland Nationwide Park Mountain Rescue Crew have additionally been looking out alongside Voyce’s household and pals.

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

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

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 Bathtub after which leaving to hitch Gloucester in 2009.

He made a complete of 220 Premiership appearances earlier than retiring in Could 2013.