Rugby star was over drink-drive limit before storm death

Former England rugby international Tom Voyce was nearly three times over the drink-drive limit when his vehicle was washed into a river during a storm, an inquest has heard.

The 43-year-old had been at a shoot on 7 December at Glanton near Alnwick in Northumberland before going to the nearby Queens Head pub with a group.

The inquest previously heard Mr Voyce’s wife Anna had reported him missing the next morning when she realised he had not returned home, a coroner said.

Pathologist Clive Bloxham said while Mr Voyce’s blood alcohol levels – 215 micrograms of alcohol in 100 ml of blood – would have impaired his judgement and co-ordination, it was a not a causal factor to his death.

It is thought the former wing’s vehicle was swept away while he tried to drive across a ford during Storm Darragh.

His body was found on 12 December “in deep water” at Old Abberwick Mill by a member of UK Search and Rescue.

The rugby player, from Truro in Cornwall, won nine caps for England and made 220 Premiership appearances. He played for Wasps, Bath and Gloucester before retiring from the sport in 2013.

Since relocating to Northumberland from London in 2019, Mr Voyce left his role at Investec to set up his own business, Trevow Vegetation Management.

The inquest at County Hall in Morpeth continues.