On a stormy December night in 2024, the rugby world lost one of its own in a tragedy that has since sparked calls for urgent safety reforms on rural roads. Tom Voyce, a former England international and respected club player, died after his Toyota Hilux was swept away while attempting to cross a flooded ford on the River Aln in Northumberland during Storm Darragh. The events of that night, and the subsequent inquest, have painted a vivid picture of the risks posed by extreme weather, impaired judgment, and rural infrastructure ill-prepared for such hazards.
Voyce, who had relocated to Northumberland after a distinguished rugby and banking career, spent December 7, 2024, partaking in a traditional shoot at his brother-in-law’s farm near Glanton. According to testimony at the inquest held at County Hall, Morpeth, the day’s festivities were dampened by relentless rain, leaving guests soaked and seeking warmth. As the evening wore on, Voyce joined his brother-in-law Hugh Wood and two other friends at the Queen’s Head pub in Glanton. There, he consumed several bottles of cider and shared a bottle of port—a detail confirmed by both Wood and pub landlady Lisa Chisholm. Chisholm described Voyce as “good conversation” and in good spirits, noting he was not a regular but left a positive impression.
By 11:45pm, Voyce settled his bar tab and left the pub, intent on making the eight-mile journey home to Alnwick. The weather outside was formidable: roads were waterlogged, winds gusted up to 30 mph, and landmarks were obscured by flooding. According to Detective Constable Victoria Henderson of Northumbria Police, Voyce chose a route that led him to Abberwick ford—a crossing notorious for sudden drops and deceptive water levels, especially in flood conditions. Accident investigators later found that part of the Hilux’s number plate had broken off at the water’s edge, indicating Voyce had approached the ford at speed. The vehicle was discovered in reverse gear, suggesting a desperate attempt to retreat from the rising waters as the car stalled.
The following morning, Anna Voyce, Tom’s wife, raised the alarm when her husband failed to return. The family’s search led them to the ford, where they found the partially submerged vehicle. Despite a major search operation, it was four days before Voyce’s body was recovered by a UK Search and Rescue diver. He was found 700 meters downstream, in deep water near Old Abberwick Mill.
The inquest revealed a crucial detail: toxicology reports showed Voyce’s blood alcohol level was 215 milligrams per 100 millilitres—nearly three times the UK legal driving limit of 80 milligrams. Pathologist Dr. Clive Bloxham told the hearing, “Despite the possibility of tolerance to drinking alcohol, this level would be expected to have impaired his co-ordination and judgment. You would expect him to have a significant degree of intoxication with this level and impaired decision-making prior to his death.” Bloxham was careful to clarify that while the alcohol significantly impaired Voyce’s faculties, the cause of death was immersion in water, not intoxication.
Coroner Andrew Hetherington ruled the death accidental, emphasizing the treacherous conditions that night. Flooding had created a mirage, making the road appear flat when in reality the ford dropped six feet—a detail that proved fatal. Hetherington observed, “Floodwater had made the road appear flat, masking a sudden six-foot drop at the ford.” The depth pole, which should have indicated the danger, was itself submerged and invisible to approaching drivers.
Detective Constable Henderson’s investigation added further context. She explained that while a ford warning sign was visible, the submerged depth pole on the crossing’s far side would have given no warning of the hidden peril. It remains unclear whether Voyce attempted to escape the vehicle or was swept away by the force of the water. The car had been damaged further after repeatedly striking a footbridge before water levels dropped enough to allow it under the bridge.
The tragedy quickly reignited debate over safety at rural fords. Anna Voyce asked the inquest whether barriers might be installed at the crossing to prevent similar accidents—measures that have been adopted at other local sites. Coroner Hetherington agreed to pass this suggestion to Northumberland County Council and Northumbria Police for further consideration, acknowledging the need for improved safeguards.
Voyce’s death sent shockwaves through the rugby community. Former teammates, including World Cup winners Matt Dawson and Lawrence Dallaglio, expressed their deep sadness and disbelief. Voyce’s sporting achievements were considerable: nine England caps, 220 Premiership appearances, and championship victories with Bath, Wasps, and Gloucester before his retirement in 2013. After leaving professional rugby, he moved to Northumberland in 2019, left his banking role at Investec, and started his own business, Trevow Vegetation Management.
For his family, the loss is immeasurable. Anna Voyce’s words, shared in the aftermath, captured the depth of their grief: “Absolutely devastated and heartbroken doesn’t even describe how we feel. My main focus now is our son Oscar.” The couple had chosen Northumberland as their home, seeking a new chapter after the high-profile world of professional sport and finance—a chapter cut tragically short.
Local residents and officials have since called for urgent improvements to rural road safety, especially at fords that become treacherous in extreme weather. The inquest’s findings have highlighted a dangerous combination of misleading road conditions, inadequate safety infrastructure, and the risks of driving under the influence. While Voyce’s judgment was impaired by alcohol, the coroner and police emphasized that the illusion of safety created by the flooded ford was a critical factor in the accident. The submerged depth pole and lack of physical barriers left drivers vulnerable to hazards they could neither see nor anticipate.
For the wider community, the tragedy is a stark reminder of the unpredictable dangers posed by rural roads during storms, and the need for vigilance—both behind the wheel and in the design of public infrastructure. The public outpouring of grief and support for the Voyce family has been matched by a determination to ensure that lessons are learned and that similar accidents are prevented in the future.
Tom Voyce’s story is not only one of personal loss and community mourning but also a call to action. As the region reflects on the circumstances of his death, there is hope that his legacy will spur meaningful change—making rural roads safer for everyone, whatever the weather may bring.
