FARMER DIES TRYING TO SAVE HIS SON — FATHER AND SON KILLED IN TRAGIC SLURRY TANK ACCIDENT

A respected Cheshire farming family has been left devastated after a 72-year-old father died while trying to rescue his 42-year-old son, who had got into difficulty inside a slurry tank.

Alan Ford, 72, and his son Richard “Rick” Ford, 42, died at the family farm in Aston-by-Budworth, Cheshire, on August 26.

An inquest has now heard how Alan entered the tank after his son encountered difficulties while carrying out work inside it.

RICK HAD ENTERED THE TANK TO REPAIR A PIPE

Rick, a father of five who lived at the farm, had entered the tank to repair a pipe, according to evidence heard at the inquest.

But after he got into difficulty, Alan entered the tank in an attempt to help his son.

Emergency services were called to New Farm on Cann Lane at around 12.20pm.

Police, firefighters and ambulance crews attended, including an air ambulance, but despite the efforts of the emergency responders, both men were pronounced dead at the scene.

The exact circumstances surrounding how the two men came to be in the tank remain under investigation.

A TRAGEDY THAT SHOCKED THE FARMING COMMUNITY

Alan and Rick were well-known figures within Cheshire’s agricultural community.

Alan had served as chairman of the Cheshire Agricultural Society before retiring as chairman and director in April 2026.

Rick had also served as a director of the society for several years.

The Royal Cheshire County Show paid tribute to both men following their deaths.

Society chairman Dave Leech said the Ford family had worked tirelessly for the organisation over many years and that both Alan and Rick would be “very sadly missed” by everyone who knew them.

The society also extended its sympathy and prayers to the family as they faced the devastating loss.

INQUEST ADJOURNED AS INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

An inquest into the deaths was opened at Cheshire Coroners’ Court in Warrington.

Area coroner Victoria Davies opened the proceedings before adjourning the case until February 25, 2027.

The delay will allow a joint investigation by Cheshire Police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to continue.

The investigation is examining the circumstances surrounding the deaths, and no final conclusions have yet been reached.

Cheshire Police previously confirmed that both men had fallen into an industrial slurry tank and that an investigation was underway.

The family has asked for privacy during the difficult period.

WHY SLURRY TANKS CAN BE SO DANGEROUS

Slurry tanks can contain dangerous gases produced as animal waste decomposes, including hydrogen sulphide, methane, ammonia and carbon dioxide.

Safety experts have repeatedly warned that entering enclosed slurry storage areas can be extremely hazardous.

Rescue attempts can also put additional people at risk if they enter without specialist equipment.

However, authorities have not yet publicly established exactly what caused the incident involving Alan and Rick.

A FATHER AND SON REMEMBERED

For the Ford family and the wider farming community, the tragedy has left an enormous loss.

Alan had spent decades involved in agriculture and agricultural organisations across Cheshire, while Rick had continued the family’s involvement in the farming community.

Their deaths have brought together tributes from people who knew the family and worked alongside them.

As the official investigation continues, the family is now left to mourn a father and son who died in the same tragic incident.

The inquest is expected to return to the circumstances surrounding their deaths when proceedings resume in February 2027.