JUST MONTHS AFTER STEPPING DOWN FROM A ROLE HE HAD HELD FOR YEARS, ALAN FORD DIED IN A TRAGIC FARM ACCIDENT ALONGSIDE HIS SON

A respected father and son who had devoted years to Cheshire’s agricultural community have been remembered after a tragic farm accident claimed both their lives.

Alan Ford, 72, had spent years at the heart of the Cheshire Agricultural Society, helping lead the organisation before stepping down from his roles as chairman and director in April.

His son, Rick Ford, 42, had also become a director of the society and was a familiar figure within the farming community.

But just months after Alan retired from the leadership position he had held for years, tragedy struck.

On Wednesday, August 26, emergency services were called to a farm on Cann Lane in Aston-by-Budworth, near Northwich, Cheshire, following reports of an industrial incident.

Two men had fallen into an industrial slurry tank.

They were Alan and Rick.

Despite a major emergency response and efforts by firefighters, paramedics and other emergency personnel, both men were rescued from the tank but were pronounced dead at the scene.

A FATHER AND SON AT THE CENTRE OF CHESHIRE AGRICULTURE

News of the tragedy quickly spread through Cheshire’s agricultural community.

The Royal Cheshire County Show announced the identities of the pair in a tribute issued on behalf of the Cheshire Agricultural Society.

Alan had served as chairman and director of the society before retiring from both roles in April 2026.

His son Rick had served as a director for several years.

Their connection to the organisation meant the Ford family had become deeply woven into the agricultural life of the region.

The society said the Ford family had worked tirelessly for the organisation for many years and that both Alan and Rick would be greatly missed by everyone who knew them.

For a community accustomed to seeing the family involved in agricultural events and society activities, the news was devastating.

EMERGENCY CREWS RUSHED TO THE FARM

The emergency call was made at approximately 12:20 p.m. on August 26.

Police, firefighters and ambulance crews attended the farm on Cann Lane.

The men were found inside the industrial tank and emergency responders worked to recover them.

Although they were successfully removed from the tank, neither man could be saved.

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

The circumstances leading up to the incident have not been fully established.

The Health and Safety Executive, the UK’s workplace health and safety regulator, also attended the farm and has been liaising with police as the investigation continues.

QUESTIONS REMAIN ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED

While reports have established that the father and son fell into the industrial tank, authorities have not publicly disclosed the precise circumstances surrounding the accident.

It remains unclear what work was being carried out at the time or exactly how the two men came to fall into the tank.

That means investigators still have important questions to answer.

The police investigation is ongoing, and no conclusion has been announced regarding the cause of the incident.

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

The family’s next of kin were informed, and relatives have asked for privacy as they deal with the loss of two members of their family at once.

TRIBUTES TO A FAMILY THAT ‘WORKED TIRELESSLY’

The Cheshire Agricultural Society’s tribute reflected just how closely Alan and Rick were connected to the organisation.

Alan’s retirement had come only months earlier, bringing an end to his time as chairman and director.

Rick, meanwhile, had continued serving as a director.

Their combined years of involvement meant that the loss was felt not only by relatives and friends, but also by colleagues and members of the wider agricultural community.

The society described their loss as profoundly sad and extended its sympathy and prayers to the family.

For those who had worked alongside them, the tragedy represented the loss of two generations of the same respected agricultural family.

A COMMUNITY NOW IN MOURNING

Alan and Rick were not simply father and son.

They had also shared a connection to the same community and organisation, with Alan’s years of leadership followed by Rick’s continued role as a director.

That shared legacy has made their loss particularly poignant.

Alan had only stepped away from his long-standing leadership responsibilities in April.

Just four months later, his life and his son’s life were tragically cut short in the same farm accident.

The exact circumstances may take time to establish, but the impact on those who knew them is already clear.

Two generations of the Ford family had dedicated years to Cheshire’s agricultural community.

Now, that same community is coming together to remember them.

As the investigation continues, Alan and Rick’s family has asked for privacy.

For their friends, colleagues and the many people who knew them through the Cheshire Agricultural Society, the memories of a father and son who devoted so much of their lives to agriculture will remain.

A father. A son. Two lives deeply connected to the community they served — and a tragedy that has left Cheshire’s agricultural world mourning.