A 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, as revealed in an inquest today. Pathologist Dr. Clive Bloxham conducted a post mortem on Voyce, 43, after he went missing on December 8 last year in Morpeth, Northumberland.
Voyce had been out shooting with his brother-in-law Hugh Wood before they visited the Queen’s Head in Glanton, Northumberland after the shoot on December 7. After leaving the pub around 11.45pm, his wife Anna reported him missing the next day. Dr. Bloxham’s pathology report showed Voyce had 215 milligrams per 100 milliliters of blood, significantly above the legal limit of 80 milligrams per 100 milliliters.
The toxicology report indicated no drugs but a high blood alcohol level in Voyce. Dr. Bloxham mentioned that such a high alcohol level would likely impair coordination and judgment. While not directly causing his death, the alcohol was considered a significant finding. The cause of death was determined to be immersion in water, with injuries to his hands and feet consistent with drowning after several days in the water.
Voyce’s body was recovered by a Northumbria Police diving team on December 12, 700 meters from where his submerged Toyota Hilux was found in the River Aln, Northumberland. The police investigation revealed that his car had been swept downstream as a result of storm water.
Hugh Wood stated that the heavy rainfall delayed the shooting party, and Voyce was last seen leaving the pub. The roads were waterlogged due to the rain, and Voyce had an approximately eight-mile journey home. Following his death, Voyce’s widow expressed deep sorrow and emphasized her focus on their son Oscar.
Voyce had a successful rugby career, playing for Bath, Wasps, and Gloucester, winning domestic and European titles. He earned nine caps for England and retired in May 2013 after making 220 Premiership appearances. The ongoing inquest is expected to conclude later today.
