A body has been found in the search for former England rugby player Tom Voyce, Northumbria Police said.
The 43-year-old was feared dead after attempting to cross a flooded river, when his car was swept away in Storm Darragh on Saturday.
A search had been ongoing since Sunday, but a body has now been recovered.
Formal identification has not taken place but Voyce’s next of kin have been informed.
A body has been found in the search for the former Rugby player
GettyChief Superintendent Helena Barron, of Northumbria Police, said today: "This is an extremely sad development and our thoughts very much continue to be with Tom's loved ones.
"I would like to thank all of our officers, partners and volunteers for their assistance throughout the searches which have been conducted in very challenging circumstances.
"We would continue to ask that people respect the family's privacy at this time."
Officers do not believe there to be any third-party involvement and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
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Tom Voyce and his wife Anna Wood, who he married in 2015
InstagramA search party had been sent out after police were told he did not return home from an evening with friends on Saturday.
Voyce's family and friends were involved in the search alongside the police, mountain rescue teams and the National Police Air Service.
Northumbria Police said they faced "very challenging conditions, not least due to the river flow and the level being significantly heightened after the exceptionally heavy rain experienced over the weekend".
It is believed that he tried to cross Abberwick Ford, near Bolton, Northumberland, while driving, which was pulled into the river.
Search efforts to find Voyce earlier this weekPAHis Toyota Hilux was recovered around 15 metres downstream from the point where he tried to cross the river, but there was no sign of Voyce.
Voyce, who was capped nine times for England, retired from rugby in 2013 and has been living in Alnwick since 2020.
He also played for Bath, Wasps and Gloucester at club level.
Following the news of his disappearance, England Rugby said on social media: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Tom Voyce at this extremely challenging time."
