Former England rugby player Tom Voyce was found to have nearly three times the legal alcohol limit in his blood when his vehicle was swept away in a ford during Storm Darragh, according to an inquest. Pathologist Dr. Clive Bloxham conducted a post mortem examination on the 43-year-old former international player after he went missing on December 8 last year in Morpeth, Northumberland.
Voyce had been shooting with his brother-in-law Hugh Wood before going to a pub in Glanton, Northumberland on the evening of December 7. He left the pub around 11.45pm, and his wife reported him missing the next day. Dr. Bloxham’s report revealed that Voyce had 215 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood, exceeding the legal limit of 80 milligrams per 100 milliliters.
The toxicology report confirmed high alcohol levels with no drugs found. Dr. Bloxham noted that the alcohol level was significantly above the legal limit, indicating potential impairment of coordination and judgment. While not directly causing his death, the alcohol consumption was considered a notable finding.
The cause of death was determined to be immersion in water, with additional injuries on Voyce’s hands and feet consistent with drowning after several days in the water. His body was recovered by a Northumbria Police diving team about 700 meters from where his submerged car was found in the River Aln.
Voyce’s brother-in-law mentioned that heavy rainfall had delayed their shooting plans, and Voyce was last seen leaving the pub. Roads in the area were waterlogged due to the storm, and Voyce would have had an approximately eight-mile journey home.
Following his death, Voyce’s widow expressed profound sadness and focus on their son Oscar. Voyce had a successful rugby career, playing for Bath, Wasps, and Gloucester, earning nine caps for England before retiring in 2013. The ongoing inquest is expected to conclude later today.