FATHER AND SON DIE AFTER FALLING INTO FARM SLURRY TANK AS FAMILY PAYS HEARTBREAKING TRIBUTE

A father and his son have died after falling into an industrial slurry tank at a farm in Cheshire, leaving the farming community mourning two men who had dedicated years to supporting the Royal Cheshire County Show.

Alan Ford, 72, and his son Rick Ford, 42, died after falling into the tank at a farm in Aston-by-Budworth, near Northwich, on Wednesday, August 26.

Emergency services were called to the farm on Cann Lane at around 12:20 p.m. after reports of an industrial incident.

Police officers, firefighters and ambulance crews attended the scene and recovered both men from the tank.

Despite the emergency response, both were pronounced dead at the scene.

TWO GENERATIONS OF THE CHESHIRE FARMING COMMUNITY

News of the deaths quickly spread through the local agricultural community.

Alan Ford had been closely involved with the Cheshire Agricultural Society, serving as its chairman and director before retiring from both positions in April 2026.

His son Rick had also played an important role in the organisation, serving as a director for several years.

The society described the Ford family as having “worked tirelessly” for the organisation over many years.

A statement published through the Royal Cheshire County Show said the organisation was deeply saddened by the “untimely death” of Alan and Rick.

It added that both men would be “very sadly missed by everyone who knew them.”

The society also expressed its sympathy and support to the Ford family during what it described as an extremely difficult time.

POLICE INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY

Cheshire Constabulary confirmed that an investigation had been launched to establish exactly what happened.

At this stage, authorities have not publicly explained what caused the two men to fall into the tank.

It is also not clear what work was being carried out at the time of the incident.

The Health and Safety Executive, Britain’s workplace safety regulator, attended the farm and is liaising with Cheshire Police as the circumstances are examined.

Cann Lane was closed while emergency services dealt with the incident.

Police confirmed that the men’s next of kin had been informed and said the family had asked for privacy while they grieve.

A DEVASTATING LOSS FOR THE FARMING COMMUNITY

The deaths have sent shockwaves through the Cheshire agricultural community.

Alan’s long association with the Cheshire Agricultural Society meant he was well known among people involved with the Royal Cheshire County Show and the wider farming world.

Rick had followed his father in contributing to the organisation, making the tragedy a particularly painful loss across two generations of the same family.

The society’s tribute reflected not only the loss of two family members but also the impact Alan and Rick had made through their years of involvement.

Their deaths have left relatives, friends and colleagues mourning two men remembered for their commitment to the agricultural community.

QUESTIONS REMAIN OVER WHAT HAPPENED

Investigators are continuing to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident.

At present, there is no publicly confirmed explanation for how Alan and Rick entered the tank.

Authorities have not said that toxic gases, equipment failure or any other specific factor caused their deaths, and those possibilities should not be assumed while the investigation remains ongoing.

What is known is that emergency crews were called shortly after midday, both men were recovered from the tank, and neither survived.

For their family and the community that knew them, the investigation now comes alongside the painful task of saying goodbye.

Alan Ford was 72. Rick Ford was 42. A father and son who spent years contributing to Cheshire’s agricultural community died together in a tragic farm accident — leaving behind a grieving family and a community struggling to understand the loss.