FATHER, 72, AND HIS SON, 42, DIE AFTER FALLING INTO SLURRY TANK ON CHESHIRE FARM

A 72-year-old father and his 42-year-old son have died after falling into an industrial slurry tank at a farm in Cheshire, England.

The victims were identified as Alan Ford, 72, and his son Rick Ford, 42, following the tragic farming accident on August 26, 2026.

Emergency services were called to a farm on Cann Lane in Aston by Budworth, near Northwich, at around 12:20 p.m. after reports of an industrial incident.

When police, firefighters and ambulance crews arrived, they discovered that two men had fallen into an industrial tank.

Emergency responders managed to rescue both men from the tank, but despite efforts to save them, both were pronounced dead at the scene.

ALAN AND RICK FORD IDENTIFIED

Cheshire Police initially did not publicly name the victims, saying their next of kin had been informed and that an investigation was underway.

The men were later identified by the Cheshire Agricultural Society, which paid tribute to the father and son through the Royal Cheshire County Show.

The organization described the deaths as an “untimely” loss and highlighted the Ford family’s longstanding connection with the agricultural community.

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

His son Rick had also been involved with the society, serving as a director for several years.

A statement from the society said the Ford family had “worked tirelessly” for the organization over many years and that both men would be deeply missed by those who knew them.

The statement also expressed sympathy to the Ford family during what it described as an extremely difficult time.

TRIBUTES POUR IN

News of the deaths prompted an outpouring of grief from members of the farming and agricultural community.

People who knew Alan described him in tributes as a hardworking and approachable man who had always made time for others.

One tribute described Alan and Rick as “two of the kindest hard working men”, while another recalled that Alan had always been willing to speak with people at agricultural society events.

The tributes reflected the family’s longstanding presence within Cheshire’s agricultural community.

POLICE INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY

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

The force confirmed that officers, firefighters and ambulance crews attended the scene and that both men were recovered from the tank before being pronounced dead.

Police have not publicly established how the men came to fall into the tank, and details about what work was being carried out at the time have not been released.

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

The family has asked for privacy while they mourn Alan and Rick.

WHY SLURRY TANKS CAN BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS

Slurry tanks are used on farms to store agricultural waste, including animal waste and urine, before it can be used as fertilizer.

The decomposition of slurry can produce dangerous gases, including hydrogen sulphide, methane, ammonia and carbon dioxide. Sky News reported that exposure to high concentrations of hydrogen sulphide can cause unconsciousness extremely quickly and can be fatal.

Farm safety organizations have repeatedly warned about the risks associated with slurry storage and the dangers faced by people attempting rescues without appropriate protective equipment.

The circumstances surrounding the deaths of Alan and Rick Ford remain under investigation.

Their deaths have left the Cheshire agricultural community mourning a father and son who had spent many years involved in the farming world and the work of the Cheshire Agricultural Society.