A father and son have died in a horrifying farm accident after they fell into a tank filled with liquid manure in England.
Alan Ford, 72, and his son Rick Ford, 42, were killed Wednesday, Aug. 26, after an industrial emergency unfolded at a farm in the Cheshire countryside.
Police were called to the property on Cann Lane in Aston by Budworth at about 12:20 p.m. local time following reports of a serious incident.
When emergency crews arrived, they discovered that two men had fallen into an industrial slurry tank, which is used on farms to hold liquid manure and other agricultural waste.
Rescuers managed to pull both men from the tank, but the desperate effort to save them ended in tragedy.
“Despite the best efforts of all those involved, they were pronounced dead at the scene,” Cheshire Police said.
Police have not revealed exactly how the father and son ended up inside the tank.
An investigation is now underway to determine what happened in the moments leading up to the deadly accident.
The men’s relatives were notified, and police said the family has asked for privacy as they cope with the devastating loss.
Although authorities initially withheld the victims’ names, the Royal Cheshire County Show later identified them as Alan and Rick Ford.
The two men were well known within the area’s farming community and had spent years working with the Cheshire Agricultural Society.
Alan had only recently retired as chairman and director of the organization in April, while Rick had served as a director for several years.
“As Chairman of the Cheshire Agricultural Society, 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,” the organization said.
The group said the Ford family had devoted years of work to the agricultural society.
“Both Alan and Rick will be very sadly missed by everyone who knew them,” the statement continued.
The organization also sent its “thoughts, sympathy and prayers” to the grieving family.
Britain’s Health and Safety Executive, which investigates workplace accidents, also sent inspectors to the farm and is working alongside authorities, according to the BBC.
The exact cause of the accident remains under investigation.
From an industrial standpoint, my take would be that 1 was overcome with fumes & the other attempted to save him. That never ends well, often multiple fatalities from 1 incident. Proper safety protocols were not followed would be my take after many years involved with industrial safety issues.