Ex-England Rugby Player Nearly Three Times Drink-Drive Limit Dies Crossing River

Tom Voyce, a former England rugby player, died in December after attempting to cross the swollen River Aln in his Toyota Hilux during Storm Darragh while nearly three times over the drink-driving limit. The inquest revealed that on the day of the incident, Voyce attended a shoot on his brother-in-law's farm, followed by an evening at the Queen's Head pub, where he consumed alcohol but appeared to be in good spirits. He was last seen at the pub around 11:45 p.m. before setting off on his eight-mile journey home along a flooded and storm-affected route. Despite the severe weather and waterlogged roads, Voyce did not take his usual route home and his vehicle was later found submerged in deep water near Abberwick Mill. Pathologist Dr. Clive Bloxham confirmed the cause of death as immersion in water and noted that Voyce's blood alcohol level was exceptionally high, impairing his coordination and judgment. Coroner Andrew Hetherington ruled the death an accident, emphasizing that the storm's conditions and Voyce's intoxication contributed to the fatal incident.