Wife of ex-England rugby player Tom Voyce says she is 'devastated and heartbroken' by his death

The wife of former England rugby player Tom Voyce has said she is "absolutely devastated and heartbroken" by his death.

Anna Voyce paid tribute to the 43-year-old after his body was found on Thursday.

The former international went missing on Saturday after attempting to drive across a flood-swollen river in Northumberland.

Mrs Voyce said: "Absolutely devastated and heartbroken doesn't even describe how we feel. My main focus now is our son Oscar having done what he asked, 'find Daddy'."

In a statement issued via police, she added that since relocating to Northumberland in 2019, her husband had become a successful businessman – but still maintained involvement in the sport he loved.

Mrs Voyce said: "Tom was fully immersed in Alnwick Rugby Club and was much-loved by Oscar's under 7's team which he coached with gusto, giving back to the game that gave him so much.

"Oscar is immensely proud of his Daddy and he was the best father and role model that Oscar could have asked for.

"Tom was proud, and cherished, his rugby memories and as an adopted 'Northumbrian' local he leaves a hole in so many of our hearts.

"With his big warm smile, passion and funny stories he loved nothing better than sitting round a table chatting with family and friends sharing his latest creation on his Big Green Egg [a barbecue brand]."

It came as police confirmed on Friday that his body had been formally identified.

Officers previously said they believed Mr Voyce had been trying to cross Abberwick Ford, about three miles from Alnwick.

His car was pulled along with the current of the River Aln during the recent Storm Darragh.

Mr Voyce's Toyota Hilux was recovered further downstream and police suspected he was swept away while trying to escape the vehicle.

A major search operation was launched involving drones and a helicopter, along with his friends, family, members of the police, coastguard and mountain rescue teams.

Northumbria Police said they faced "very challenging conditions" due to the river flow and water level following "exceptionally heavy rain".

His body was recovered near Abberwick Mill on Thursday.

Mrs Voyce added she was very grateful to everyone involved in the search, which she said included "all" of his family.

"Tom would be blown away by the amount of people that were out there helping. We have all been overwhelmed by the support of friends, many travelling from far afield to help with the search.

"We are just so lucky to live in such a special community that pulled together to find Tom," she said.

Read more from Sky News:
UK economy in shock decline
Woman arrested after Buckingham Palace party
Arrests after fairground ride crash

Former rugby players paid tribute to Mr Voyce on Thursday, including former England international Mike Tindall, who played with him at Gloucester.

In an online post shared by his podcast The Good, The Bad, And The Rugby, he wrote: "He epitomised rugby as a game for all shapes and sizes, punching well above his weight."

"He was a great character off the pitch," he added.

His podcast co-host, and former England star, James Haskell added: "He was a teammate, a friend and an incredible player... He will be sorely missed by everybody".

Mr Voyce won nine caps for England during his career, which included spells at Bath, Gloucester and most notably Wasps, where he helped the team win European and domestic titles.

He made 220 Premiership appearances before retiring in May 2013.

(c) Sky News 2024: Wife of ex-England rugby player Tom Voyce says she is 'devastated and heartbroken' by his death<