FATHER AND SON, 72 AND 42, DIE AFTER TRAGIC FARM TANK ACCIDENT IN CHESHIRE

CHESHIRE, UK — A father and his son have died following a tragic industrial incident at a farm in Cheshire, England.

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

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

When rescuers arrived, the two men had fallen into an industrial slurry tank.

Emergency crews managed to recover both men from the tank, but despite the efforts of those at the scene, both were pronounced dead.

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

THE FATHER AND SON WERE PART OF A WELL-KNOWN AGRICULTURAL FAMILY

Although Cheshire Police initially did not publicly identify the victims, the Cheshire Agricultural Society later named them as Alan Ford and his son Rick.

The organization said the Ford family had worked tirelessly for the society for many years.

Alan had been closely involved with the Cheshire Agricultural Society and served as its chairman and director before retiring from those roles in April 2026.

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

The Royal Cheshire County Show, which is associated with the society, shared a tribute following the deaths.

The organization described the incident as a tragic farming accident and said both men would be deeply missed by those who knew them.

The family also received messages of sympathy following the devastating loss.

A TRAGIC INCIDENT AT THE FARM

The incident took place at a farm in the parish of Aston-by-Budworth, near Arley in Cheshire.

The tank involved was described by authorities and news organizations as an industrial slurry or silage tank, used in agricultural operations to hold waste and other materials.

Slurry tanks can be particularly hazardous because agricultural waste can produce dangerous gases as it decomposes.

Sky News reported that gases associated with slurry, including hydrogen sulphide, methane, ammonia and carbon dioxide, can accumulate in enclosed spaces.

However, authorities have not publicly established the precise circumstances that led to Alan and Rick entering the tank, and the investigation remains ongoing.

POLICE AND SAFETY AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATE

Cheshire Police confirmed that an investigation was underway into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The men’s next of kin were informed, and police said the family had requested privacy during the difficult period.

The UK’s Health and Safety Executive, the national workplace health and safety regulator, also attended the site and was working with the authorities as part of the investigation.

The involvement of the HSE reflects the fact that the incident occurred in an agricultural workplace.

At this stage, investigators have not publicly announced any findings about responsibility or the precise cause of the deaths.

“THE FORD FAMILY HAVE WORKED TIRELESSLY”

The Cheshire Agricultural Society’s tribute highlighted how deeply Alan and Rick were connected to the agricultural community.

Alan had only recently stepped down as chairman and director of the organization in April.

Rick had continued serving as a director, following his father’s long involvement.

Their deaths therefore represented not only a devastating loss for their relatives, but also a significant loss for the agricultural community they had supported for many years.

The society said the Ford family had worked tirelessly for the organization and extended its sympathy and prayers to the family.

A FAMILY AND COMMUNITY IN MOURNING

The deaths of Alan and Rick have left relatives, colleagues and members of the local agricultural community mourning the sudden loss of two generations of the same family.

Tributes have emphasized their years of involvement with the Cheshire Agricultural Society and the Royal Cheshire County Show.

For now, the investigation continues as authorities work to establish exactly how the fatal incident happened.

The family has asked for privacy while they grieve, as police and workplace safety investigators continue their enquiries.

Alan Ford was 72. His son Rick was 42. Together, they were remembered as members of a family that had devoted many years to the agricultural community in Cheshire.