FATHER DIES TRYING TO SAVE SON AFTER TRAGIC SLURRY TANK ACCIDENT ON CHESHIRE FARM

A 72-year-old father died after entering a slurry tank in a desperate attempt to help his son, who had become unresponsive while carrying out work on their family farm, an inquest has heard.

Alan Ford and his 42-year-old son, Richard “Rick” Ford, died following the tragic incident at a farm in Aston-by-Budworth, near Northwich, Cheshire, on August 26.

Rick had entered an industrial slurry tank while working on a pipe when he encountered difficulties.

His father then went into the tank in an attempt to help him.

Both men subsequently became unresponsive.

Emergency services were called to the farm shortly after midday, but despite the efforts of firefighters, paramedics and other emergency responders, both men were pronounced dead at the scene.

RICK ENTERED THE TANK TO WORK ON A PIPE

The circumstances surrounding the tragedy were outlined when an inquest was opened at Cheshire Coroners’ Court.

The hearing heard that Rick, who was a father of five, had entered the tank to carry out work involving a pipe.

Something then went wrong.

After Rick became unresponsive, Alan entered the tank in an attempt to rescue his son.

The decision ultimately had devastating consequences, with both father and son losing their lives.

Their deaths are now the subject of a joint investigation by Cheshire Police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

EMERGENCY CREWS RUSHED TO THE FARM

Police, fire and ambulance crews were called at around 12.20pm on August 26 after reports that two men had fallen into an industrial slurry tank.

Emergency responders managed to recover both men from the tank.

Cheshire Police later confirmed that the men, aged 72 and 42, had been pronounced dead at the scene.

The force said an investigation was launched to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident, while the family asked for privacy during their bereavement.

The inquest was opened by area coroner Victoria Davies.

Because the deaths were unexpected and occurred during an industrial farming incident, further investigation is required before the circumstances can be fully established.

NO CONFIRMED CAUSE OF DEATH YET

Slurry and agricultural waste tanks are recognised as particularly dangerous environments because enclosed spaces can contain hazardous gases produced during decomposition.

These can include hydrogen sulphide, methane, ammonia and carbon dioxide.

Some gases can cause unconsciousness very quickly, making rescue attempts especially dangerous without specialist breathing and rescue equipment.

However, authorities have not publicly confirmed that exposure to toxic gas caused Alan and Rick’s deaths.

The investigation into exactly what happened inside the tank is still ongoing.

That distinction is important because the inquest has not yet reached a final conclusion about the specific cause or circumstances of the deaths.

A WELL-KNOWN FARMING FAMILY

Alan and Rick were prominent members of Cheshire’s agricultural community.

Alan had served as chairman and director of the Cheshire Agricultural Society, stepping down as chairman in April 2026.

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

Their family had longstanding connections with the Royal Cheshire County Show and the wider agricultural community.

Following the tragedy, the Cheshire Agricultural Society paid tribute to both men.

The organisation said the Ford family had “worked tirelessly” for the society over many years and that Alan and Rick would be deeply missed.

The tribute also expressed sympathy and support for their family.

‘DEEPLY MISSED BY EVERYONE’

The deaths have prompted an outpouring of grief among people who knew the father and son.

Their connection to Cheshire’s farming community meant the tragedy was felt far beyond their own family.

Alan had only recently retired as chairman of the agricultural society, while Rick had continued serving as a director.

Their deaths therefore represented the loss of two generations of a family with deep roots in the county’s farming world.

INQUEST ADJOURNED UNTIL 2027

The inquest has been adjourned to allow the joint investigation by Cheshire Police and the HSE to continue.

The case is scheduled to return to court on February 25, 2027.

Investigators will continue examining the circumstances surrounding the incident and what happened inside the tank before the two men were recovered.

Until that work is completed, no final conclusions should be drawn about exactly how Alan and Rick died.

A FATHER’S FINAL ATTEMPT TO HELP HIS SON

What is already clear from the evidence presented at the opening of the inquest is that the tragedy began when Rick entered the tank to carry out work on a pipe.

When he encountered difficulties, his father went inside to try to help him.

Neither man came back out alive.

For the Ford family and the wider Cheshire farming community, the incident has left a devastating loss — a father and son taken in the same tragic accident on the family farm.

The investigation continues, while their loved ones wait for answers about the circumstances that led to their deaths.