FATHER AND SON DIE AFTER FALLING INTO FARM SLURRY TANK AS FAMILY PAYS HEARTBREAKING TRIBUTE

A father and his son have died in a tragic farming accident after both fell into an industrial slurry tank at a farm in Cheshire, England.

The victims were identified as Alan Ford, 72, and his son Rick Ford, 42.

Emergency services were called to the farm on Cann Lane in Aston-by-Budworth, near Northwich, at around 12:20 p.m. on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, following reports of an industrial incident.

EMERGENCY CREWS RUSHED TO THE FARM

Police, firefighters and ambulance crews attended the scene after receiving reports that two men had fallen into an industrial tank.

Emergency workers managed to recover both men from the tank.

Despite efforts by those at the scene, however, both Alan and Rick were pronounced dead.

Cheshire Constabulary said the men’s next of kin had been informed and that an investigation had been launched to establish exactly what happened.

The circumstances leading to the fall have not been publicly established.

FATHER AND SON WERE WELL KNOWN IN THE AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY

News of the deaths prompted an outpouring of tributes from the farming community.

The Cheshire Agricultural Society confirmed the identities of the two men in a statement shared through the Royal Cheshire County Show.

Alan had served as chairman and director of the Cheshire Agricultural Society before retiring from those roles in April 2026.

His son Rick had also been closely involved with the organisation, serving as a director for several years.

The society said the Ford family had worked tirelessly for the organisation for many years and that both men would be deeply missed.

The statement also extended sympathy and prayers to their families following what it described as a tragic farming accident.

Tributes from people who knew Alan and Rick also appeared online, with one describing them as hardworking men and “true gentlemen.”

Another tribute remembered Alan as someone who always made time to speak with people at society events and noted that he had only recently stepped down as chairman.

WHAT IS A SLURRY TANK?

A slurry tank is used on farms to store agricultural waste, including animal waste and other liquid materials, before the material can be safely used as fertiliser.

Such tanks can be extremely dangerous because decomposing slurry can release toxic gases, including hydrogen sulphide, methane, ammonia and carbon dioxide.

High concentrations of hydrogen sulphide can cause a person to lose consciousness very quickly, creating an additional danger for anyone attempting an unprotected rescue.

However, authorities have not publicly stated what caused Alan and Rick to fall into the tank or whether toxic gases played any role in their deaths.

INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

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

Cheshire Police said an investigation was underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

At this stage, authorities have not released a detailed account of what the men were doing immediately before the accident or explained how they came to fall into the tank.

The tragedy has left the Cheshire agricultural community mourning the loss of a father and son who had spent years contributing to local farming and agricultural events.

For those who knew the Ford family, the loss is not only a devastating farming accident but the sudden death of two generations of a family who had played an important role in their local agricultural community.