FATHER, 72, DIES TRYING TO SAVE HIS SON AFTER BOTH FALL INTO FARM SLURRY TANK

A 72-year-old father died in a desperate attempt to save his son after the younger man got into difficulty inside a slurry tank at a farm in Cheshire, England.

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

According to evidence heard when the inquest was opened, Rick had entered the slurry tank to carry out work on a pipe. He then got into difficulty inside the tank.

Alan subsequently went inside in an attempt to help his son.

Neither man survived.

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, including an air ambulance, attended the scene.

Both men were eventually recovered from the tank, but they were pronounced dead at the scene.

A FATHER’S DESPERATE ATTEMPT TO HELP HIS SON

The circumstances of the tragedy have made the deaths particularly devastating for those who knew the Ford family.

Rick, who lived at the farm and was a father of five, had entered the tank while carrying out work on a pipe, the inquest heard.

After Rick encountered difficulties, his father entered the tank in an attempt to rescue him.

The precise circumstances surrounding what happened inside the tank remain under investigation.

An inquest was opened at Cheshire Coroners’ Court in Warrington and later adjourned to allow Cheshire Police and the Health and Safety Executive to continue their joint investigation.

TRIBUTES TO A FATHER AND SON

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

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

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

Following their deaths, the Royal Cheshire County Show paid tribute to both men, describing the Ford family as having worked tirelessly for the society over many years.

The organisation said Alan and Rick would be “very sadly missed” and extended its sympathy and prayers to their family.

INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

Cheshire Police confirmed that an investigation was launched to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The family has asked for privacy as they grieve their loss.

The Health and Safety Executive is also involved in the investigation, and the inquest remains ongoing.

For the Ford family and the wider farming community, the tragedy has left behind the loss of two generations of the same family — a father and son who never returned home after entering the farm’s slurry tank that August afternoon.

The full circumstances of the incident will be considered as the investigation and inquest continue.