FATHER DIES TRYING TO SAVE HIS SON AFTER BOTH ARE TRAPPED IN CHESHIRE FARM SLURRY TANK

ALAN FORD, 72, ENTERED THE TANK AFTER HIS SON RICK, 42, GOT INTO DIFFICULTY

A father died in a desperate attempt to save his son after both men became trapped inside a slurry tank at a family farm in Cheshire, England.

Alan Ford, 72, and his son Richard “Rick” Ford, 42, died at New Farm in Aston-by-Budworth on Aug. 26, 2026.

Emergency services were called to the farm on Cann Lane at around 12:20 p.m. after reports of an industrial incident involving the two men.

Despite rescue efforts, both were pronounced dead at the scene.

RICK ENTERED THE TANK TO REPAIR A PIPE

An inquest later heard that Rick, who lived at the farm and was a father of five, had entered the slurry tank to carry out work on a pipe.

He subsequently got into difficulty inside the tank.

Alan then entered the tank in an attempt to rescue his son.

Both men were eventually recovered by emergency responders, but neither could be saved.

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

Authorities have not publicly confirmed a specific cause of death.

A TRAGEDY FOR A WELL-KNOWN FARMING FAMILY

The deaths have had a profound impact on the agricultural community in Cheshire.

Alan and Rick were both closely involved with the Cheshire Agricultural Society.

Alan had served as chairman and director of the society before retiring from those roles in April 2026. Rick had served as a director for several years.

The Royal Cheshire County Show paid tribute to the father and son, describing the Ford family as people who had worked tirelessly for the society over many years.

The organization said Alan and Rick would be “very sadly missed” by those who knew them and expressed sympathy to their family.

INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

An inquest into the deaths was opened at Cheshire Coroners’ Court in Warrington.

The hearing was adjourned until Feb. 25, 2027, allowing investigators from Cheshire Police and the Health and Safety Executive to complete their joint investigation.

Slurry tanks are recognized as hazardous confined spaces on farms, but authorities have not publicly established exactly what caused the fatal incident involving the Fords.

The Health and Safety Executive has been involved in the investigation, while police continue examining the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

A FATHER’S FINAL ATTEMPT TO SAVE HIS SON

What began as routine work on a farm quickly became a devastating family tragedy.

Rick had entered the tank to carry out repairs. When he encountered difficulties, his father followed him inside in an attempt to help.

Both men died that afternoon.

Their deaths have left behind a grieving family and a farming community mourning two men who had spent years contributing to agriculture in Cheshire.

The investigation remains ongoing, with the next inquest hearing scheduled for February 2027.