FATHER, 72, DIES TRYING TO SAVE HIS SON, 42, IN TRAGIC FARM TANK ACCIDENT

A 72-year-old father died after entering an industrial tank in a desperate attempt to save his 42-year-old son, who had got into difficulty while working on their family farm in Cheshire.

Alan Ford and his son Richard “Rick” Ford died on August 26, 2026, after both were found inside an industrial slurry tank at a farm in Aston-by-Budworth, near Northwich.

The tragedy has devastated the local farming community, where the father and son were both highly respected figures.

RICK ENTERED THE TANK TO REPAIR A PIPE

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

He subsequently got into difficulty and became unresponsive.

When Alan realized his son was in trouble, he entered the tank himself in an attempt to rescue him.

Alan also became unresponsive.

Emergency services were called to the farm on Cann Lane at around 12:20 p.m. on August 26.

Police, fire crews and ambulance personnel attended the scene and both men were eventually rescued from the tank.

Despite the efforts of emergency responders, both were pronounced dead at the scene.

INQUEST OPENED INTO FATHER AND SON’S DEATHS

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

Area Coroner Victoria Davies said an inquest was necessary because the deaths were unnatural.

The hearing was adjourned to allow investigators to complete their work.

A joint investigation involving Cheshire Police and the Health and Safety Executive is continuing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The next stage of the inquest is scheduled for February 25, 2027.

BOTH MEN WERE WELL KNOWN IN CHESHIRE FARMING

The deaths have had a particularly deep impact on the agricultural community because of the family’s longstanding involvement in farming organizations.

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

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

Following their deaths, the society paid tribute to both men and said the Ford family had worked tirelessly for the organization over many years.

They were described as people who would be deeply missed by those who knew them.

A FATHER’S FINAL ATTEMPT TO HELP HIS SON

The circumstances revealed during the inquest have made the tragedy particularly heartbreaking.

Rick had entered the tank as part of work being carried out on the farm.

When he encountered trouble, his father followed him inside.

Within a short time, both men were in serious difficulty.

The exact circumstances that caused the deaths remain subject to the ongoing investigation, and authorities have not yet reached a final conclusion.

INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

Cheshire Police confirmed shortly after the incident that an investigation was underway to establish exactly what happened.

The family has asked for privacy while they grieve.

For the wider Cheshire farming community, the deaths of Alan and Rick Ford represent the loss of two generations of a family that had spent years contributing to local agriculture and community life.

The inquest will continue after investigators have completed their work, with the next hearing scheduled for February 2027.

What began as an ordinary day of work on a family farm ended with the deaths of a father and son — and left a community mourning two men remembered for their longstanding contribution to farming in Cheshire.