What's happened
Tom Voyce, a former England rugby player, was found dead after his car was swept away while attempting to cross a flooded ford in Northumberland during Storm Darragh. The rugby community has expressed deep sorrow, with many tributes highlighting his impact on and off the field.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Independent, Tom Voyce's body was found after extensive searches following his car being swept away in the River Aln. His wife, Anna, expressed gratitude for the community's support during the search, stating, 'Tom would be blown away by the amount of people that were out there helping.' AP News reported that Voyce had not returned home after a night out with friends, leading to concerns and subsequent searches. The Guardian noted the emotional impact on the rugby community, with tributes pouring in from former teammates and clubs, emphasizing Voyce's legacy as a beloved figure in rugby.
How we got here
Tom Voyce, 43, went missing after attempting to drive across Abberwick Ford during severe weather conditions. His body was discovered days later, prompting an outpouring of grief from the rugby community.
More on these topics
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Thomas Michael Dunstan Voyce is a former English rugby union player who played at wing or fullback. He previously played for England.
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Matthew James Sutherland Dawson, MBE is an English retired rugby union player who played scrum half for Northampton Saints and then London Wasps.
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Alnwick is a market town in Northumberland, England, of which it is the traditional county town. The population at the 2011 Census was 8,116.
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Northumbria Police is the territorial police force responsible for policing the metropolitan county of Tyne and Wear and the ceremonial county of Northumberland in North East England.
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Premiership Rugby is an English professional rugby union competition. The Premiership consists of twelve clubs, and is the top division of the English rugby union system.
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Northumberland is a unitary authority and historic county in North East England, the northernmost county of England. The unitary authority borders Cumbria to the west, County Durham and Tyne and Wear to the south and the Scottish Borders to the north.
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Wasps Rugby Football Club is an English professional rugby union team based in Coventry, England. They play in Premiership Rugby, England's top division of rugby.
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The River Aln runs through the county of Northumberland in England. It rises in Alnham in the Cheviot Hills and discharges into the North Sea at Alnmouth on the east coast of England.