Former England rugby player drowned in car: investigation results.

Tragedy of former England rugby player

According to The Sun: Former England rugby player Tom Vois drowned while attempting to cross a flooded ford in his SUV during a storm. The investigation revealed that his blood alcohol level was nearly three times over the limit.

43-year-old Vois died while trying to cross the River Aln in Northumberland in his Toyota Hilux in December when Storm Darra was raging in the UK.

Vois's body was found days later in deep water after extensive searches.

Investigation and testimonies

At the inquest in Northumberland, coroner Andrew Hetherington found that the death was accidental and that Vois had not taken his usual route home under the conditions that prevailed that night.

Hugh Wood, the brother of Vois's wife, said he last saw him around 11:45 p.m. at the bar. He noted that during the party, which had around 16 guests, many people consumed alcohol, but he did not notice any signs of intoxication in Vois.

The weather severely complicated conditions, and the road home was flooded. Vois's wife raised the alarm the next day when her husband did not return. Wood emphasized that 'the question arose to check the fords, and that is where we found his vehicle.'

Experts' conclusions

Pathologist Dr. Clive Blocham reported that the cause of death was drowning. Toxicology tests showed that Vois's blood alcohol level was 215 milligrams per 100 milliliters, which significantly exceeds the legal limit of 80 milligrams.

“This level of alcohol, even considering the possibility of tolerance, would have caused impairment of coordination and judgment,” said Dr. Blocham.

Bartender Lisa Chisholm, who worked at the pub where Vois spent the evening, confirmed that he had an open tab and was in good spirits.

Discussion of driver safety

Detective Constable Victoria Henderson, who led the investigation, noted that Vois's car sustained damage during a collision with a bridge near the ford, indicating that he approached the obstacle at a high speed.

Drivers should have seen a warning sign, but the depth of the water complicated the assessment of the road's condition. Vois's wife inquired about the possibility of installing barriers to prevent similar incidents in the future.

“Absolutely shattered and no words can describe how we feel,” said Vois's wife after his death.

Tom Vois, who played for Bath and Wasps during his career, helped secure titles at the European and national levels. He played 9 matches for the England national team and retired in May 2013.

This tragic event highlights the importance of road safety, especially in poor weather conditions. Incidents like this force us to consider the risks associated with driving under the influence of alcohol and poor road conditions. Attention to safety and adherence to regulations can help prevent similar tragedies in the future.