A former England rugby star was almost three times over the drink drive limit when he drowned while trying to cross a swollen ford in his 4x4, an inquest heard.

Tom Voyce, 43, died trying to cross Northumberland 's River Aln in his Toyota Hilux in December during Storm Darragh.

The body of Voyce, who won nine caps for England before retiring in 2013, was found four days later in deep water following a major search.

Voyce had attended a shoot at his brother-in-law's farm on 7 December last year before spending the evening with him at the Queen's Head pub, Glanton.

An inquest heard he had not taken his usual route home in the conditions that night.

Coroner Andrew Hetherington ruled the death as an accident.

After his death, Anna Voyce, Voyce's widow with whom she has one son, said

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