Tom Voyce, 43, died in a flooded ford during Storm Darragh; an inquest ruled the death accidental despite his high blood alcohol level.

Former England rugby player Tom Voyce, 43, died in December 2024 after his Toyota Hilux was swept away in a flooded ford during Storm Darragh. An inquest in Northumberland ruled the death accidental, noting Voyce had a blood alcohol level of 215 mg per 100 ml—over two and a half times the UK drink-drive limit—after attending a shoot and pub event. His vehicle, found in reverse gear with a broken number plate, stalled in deep, fast-moving water, likely due to the ford’s 6-foot drop being obscured by flooding. Though alcohol impaired his judgment, the coroner said it was not a direct cause of death. Voyce, a former Bath, Wasps, and Gloucester player with nine England caps and 220 Premiership appearances, had retired in 2013 and lived in Alnwick since 2019. His widow urged safety improvements like barriers at dangerous crossings, a recommendation the coroner will forward to local authorities. Tributes came from teammates and friends, including World Cup winners Matt Dawson and Lawrence Dallaglio.