Father and son die after falling into slurry tank on farm

A father and son have died after falling into a slurry tank on a farm in Cheshire.

The Cheshire Agricultural Society paid tribute to Alan Ford, 72, and his son Rick, 42, on Thursday.

Emergency services were called to reports of an industrial incident on the farm on Cann Lane in Aston by Budworth at 12.20pm on Wednesday.

Cheshire Police said firefighters and paramedics also attended and the men were pulled from the industrial silage tank.

"But sadly, despite the best efforts of all those involved, they were pronounced dead at the scene," the force added.

A slurry tank is used on a farm to collect and hold animal waste, urine and other materials until it can be safely used as fertiliser.

The two men were named in a post on the Royal Cheshire County Show Facebook page.

The statement, attributed to the chairman of the Cheshire Agricultural Society, read: "It is with profound sadness that I have to announce the untimely death of our past chairman Alan Ford and his son Rick following a tragic farming accident yesterday.

"Alan retired as chairman and director of the society in April this year and Rick has been a director of the society for several years."

It continued: "The Ford family have worked tirelessly for the society for many years and both Alan and Rick will be very sadly missed by everyone who knew them.

"We wish to extend our thoughts, sympathy and prayers to the families at this very difficult time."

The names have not yet been confirmed by police, who previously said the men's next of kin had been informed and that an investigation into the "circumstances surrounding the incident" was under way.

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"The family have requested for their privacy to be respected at this difficult time," the force added.

In 2014, Robert Christie, aged eight, died in Dunloy, County Antrim, after he was overcome by toxic fumes from a slurry tank. His father was found unconscious alongside him.

Also in Northern Ireland, Ulster rugby star Nevin Spence, his brother Graham and father Noel all died in a slurry pit in 2012. The brothers were attempting to rescue their father after he fell in.

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