The rugby community has rallied around the loved ones of former England rugby international Tom Voyce, who went missing in an area flooded by Storm Darragh.

Police fear Mr Voyce has died after trying to cross Abberwick Ford, near Alnwick, Northumberland, in his car which was then pulled along by the current of the river.

Matt Dawson, who played alongside Mr Voyce at Wasps between 2004 and 2006, said he could not “express his sadness”.

Premiership Rugby said it was “devastated” and thinking about Mr Voyce’s loved ones.

A search has been ongoing since Sunday lunchtime when the 43-year-old did not return home from an evening with friends.

His vehicle has since been found, but a spokesperson for Northumbria Police said: “It is believed in his attempts to escape he has been swept away and tragically died.”

Search teams gathered from first light and are scouring the banks of the river from the ford between Bolton and Abberwick, all the way to the sea at Alnmouth.

Officers from the coastguard joined the search using a dinghy, accompanied by a trained dog.

A water level indicator at the ford showed the river was still about 1ft (30cm) deep, but it would have been much higher at the weekend when Storm Darragh lashed the UK.

The rugby community has expressed its support for Mr Voyce’s family.

His wife Anna and family thanked police, friends and the local community for their help and support.

Mr Voyce was capped nine times for England from 2001 until 2006 and played for Wasps, Bath and Gloucester before retiring from the sport in 2013.

World Cup winning England scrum-half Matt Dawson wrote on Instagram: “One of life’s wonderful humans… I can’t express my sadness right now… All the Dawsons send their love & strength to Anna and the whole family.”

Gloucester Rugby said they were “desperately sad to hear the distressing news regarding our former player and friend”.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Tom’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time,” they added.

British & Irish Lions said they sent their “heartfelt thoughts and prayers” to Mr Voyce’s family and friends “during this deeply distressing time”.

Premiership Rugby added: “Everyone at Premiership Rugby is devastated by the news regarding Tom Voyce.

“We send our thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.”

Bath Rugby said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Tom Voyce at this incredibly distressing time.”

Penryn Rugby Football Club, one of Mr Voyce’s first clubs in Cornwall, said: “Our thoughts and prayers go to Tom’s family, friends and everyone affected.”

Mr Voyce previously worked for the bank Investec, where a spokeswoman said: “All of Tom’s many friends and colleagues at Investec are sending our thoughts and prayers to his family, friends and loved ones at this distressing and difficult time.”

Storm Darragh brought severe weather to the UK from the early hours of Saturday morning, prompting a number of flood warnings.

The search has included specialist officers from the Northumbria Police’s Marine Section, the National Police Air Service, drones and dog handlers.

Volunteers from the two Mountain Rescue teams based in Northumberland have also been assisting, alongside Mr Voyce’s family and friends.

Additional reporting by PA Media.