Ex-rugby star was over the limit, inquest hears

FORMER Bath, Gloucester and England rugby player who drowned after he tried to cross a swollen ford in his 4x4 during a storm was almost three times over the drink drive limit, an inquest has heard.

- TOM WILKINSON

Tom Voyce, 43, died while trying to cross the River Aln in Northumberland in his Toyota Hilux in December, as Storm Darragh passed through the UK.

His body was found days later in deep water after a major search.

An inquest at County Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland, was told that Mr Voyce had attended a shoot at his brother-in-law’s farm on December 7 last year, then spent the evening with him and two other men in the Queen’s Head pub in Glanton.

Coroner Andrew Hetherington ruled the death was an accident and found that Mr Voyce had not taken his usual route home in the prevailing conditions that night.

Hugh Wood, brother of Mr Voyce’s widow Anna, told the hearing that he last saw his brother-in-law at about 11.45pm in the bar. There had been a shoot with about 16 guests but it was hampered by the weather and people helped themselves to a bottle of port during the day, Mr Wood said.

‘The event ended at 5.30pm when everyone was extremely wet.

Mr Wood said they drank alcohol in the pub but he observed no ill-effects in Mr Voyce that evening.

Mr Wood said the storm left local roads waterlogged. Some parts were flooded and winds were still gusting at 30mph that night. He estimated the distance to the Voyces’ home in Alnwick was about eight miles.