FARMER DIES TRYING TO SAVE HIS SON AFTER BOTH BECOME TRAPPED IN SLURRY TANK

A 72-year-old farmer died in a desperate attempt to save his son after the younger man became trapped inside a slurry tank on their family farm in Cheshire, England.

Alan Ford, 72, and his son Richard “Rick” Ford, 42, both died in the tragic farming accident at New Farm in Aston-by-Budworth on August 26.

A recent inquest heard that Rick had entered the tank to repair a pipe but then got into difficulties. His father Alan subsequently entered the tank in an attempt to rescue him.

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

Firefighters, paramedics and an air ambulance attended the scene and the two men were eventually recovered from the tank.

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

A FATHER’S DESPERATE ATTEMPT TO HELP HIS SON

The latest details emerged during an inquest at Cheshire Coroners’ Court in Warrington.

The hearing was told that Rick, a father of five who lived at the farm, had gone into the slurry tank to carry out repair work on a pipe.

When he encountered difficulties, Alan went inside in an attempt to help his son.

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

The deaths are being jointly investigated by Cheshire Police and the Health and Safety Executive.

The inquest has been adjourned until February 25, 2027, allowing investigators time to complete their work.

TWO WELL-KNOWN FIGURES IN THE FARMING COMMUNITY

The deaths shocked the farming community in Cheshire.

Alan had been a prominent figure in the region’s agricultural community and previously served as chairman and director of the Cheshire Agricultural Society. He retired from those positions in April 2026.

Rick had also been involved with the organisation for several years as a director.

Following the tragedy, the Royal Cheshire County Show paid tribute to both men.

The Cheshire Agricultural Society said the Ford family had “worked tirelessly for the society for many years” and that both Alan and Rick would be deeply missed.

The organisation also extended its sympathy and prayers to the family.

WHY SLURRY TANKS CAN BE SO DANGEROUS

Slurry tanks can contain dangerous gases produced as animal waste decomposes, including hydrogen sulphide, methane, ammonia and carbon dioxide.

Sky News reported that high concentrations of hydrogen sulphide can cause a person to lose consciousness extremely quickly, making rescue attempts particularly dangerous.

This is one reason agricultural safety organisations repeatedly warn that people should not enter slurry tanks or attempt an unprotected rescue.

INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

Police have not suggested that the deaths were anything other than a tragic farming incident, but the exact circumstances are still being investigated.

The Health and Safety Executive is working alongside Cheshire Police as investigators examine what happened before the two men entered the tank.

For the Ford family and the wider Cheshire farming community, the tragedy has left behind the loss of a father and son who had both devoted years to farming and agricultural life.

Alan had gone into the tank trying to help his son.

Neither man came back out.