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

A routine day on a Cheshire farm turned into a devastating tragedy when a father and son fell into an industrial slurry tank, leaving a respected farming family and the wider agricultural community in shock.

Alan Ford, 72, and his 42-year-old son Rick were involved in the incident at a farm on Cann Lane in Aston by Budworth, near Northwich, on Wednesday, August 26.

Emergency services were called at around 12:20 p.m. after reports of an industrial incident.

Police, firefighters and ambulance crews rushed to the farm, where the two men were found inside the industrial tank.

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

A FATHER AND SON AT THE HEART OF CHESHIRE’S FARMING COMMUNITY

Alan and Rick were more than father and son — both had strong connections to the Cheshire 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.

The Royal Cheshire County Show paid tribute to both men, describing the Ford family as having worked tirelessly for the organisation over many years.

Their loss has therefore been felt far beyond their immediate family.

Friends and members of the agricultural community have been sharing tributes, remembering Alan and Rick for their dedication and contribution to farming in Cheshire.

THE FINAL MOMENTS REMAIN UNCLEAR

While emergency crews were able to recover the two men from the tank, authorities have not yet publicly explained exactly how they came to fall inside.

That question is now at the centre of the investigation.

Cheshire Police said an investigation is underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The Health and Safety Executive has also attended the farm and is liaising with police as inquiries continue.

At this stage, officials have not publicly established what work Alan and Rick were carrying out immediately before the incident or precisely what caused them to fall into the tank.

WHY SLURRY TANKS CAN BE SO DANGEROUS

The tragedy has also highlighted the serious hazards associated with agricultural slurry tanks.

These tanks can contain a mixture of animal waste and other materials. During decomposition, potentially dangerous gases can accumulate, particularly in enclosed spaces.

Specialists have long warned that exposure to gases such as hydrogen sulphide can cause someone to become unconscious extremely quickly.

Rescue attempts can also become extremely dangerous if people enter an enclosed tank without appropriate specialist equipment.

However, investigators have not yet said whether toxic gases played any role in the deaths of Alan and Rick.

“THEY WILL BE VERY SADLY MISSED”

The Cheshire Agricultural Society said the Ford family had devoted many years to supporting the organisation.

In its tribute, the society expressed profound sadness over the loss of Alan and Rick and extended its sympathy to their relatives.

The family has asked for privacy during this extremely difficult period.

For a community accustomed to seeing father and son working side by side, the tragedy has been especially difficult to comprehend.

What began as another working day on a Cheshire farm ended with the loss of two generations of the same family — leaving behind unanswered questions, a grieving community and a legacy of service to Cheshire’s agricultural world.