FATHER, 72, DIES TRYING TO SAVE HIS SON, 42, AFTER BOTH FALL INTO FARM SLURRY TANK

A 72-year-old father died in a desperate attempt to save his son after the younger man got into difficulty inside a slurry tank at their family farm in Cheshire.

Alan Ford, 72, and his son Richard “Rick” Ford, 42, both died following the devastating farming accident at New Farm in Aston-by-Budworth, near Northwich, on August 26, 2026.

The latest details emerged during an inquest, where it was heard that Rick had entered the tank to carry out repair work on a pipe.

When he got into difficulty, his father Alan entered the tank in an attempt to help him.

Neither man survived.

RICK ENTERED THE TANK TO REPAIR A PIPE

The tragedy unfolded at the Ford family’s farm on Cann Lane.

According to evidence reported at the inquest, Rick, who lived at the farm and was a father of five, had entered the tank while working on a pipe.

He subsequently got into trouble inside the tank.

Alan then followed him inside in an attempt to rescue his son.

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

At around 12:20 p.m. on August 26, emergency services were called to the farm after reports of an industrial incident.

Police, firefighters, ambulance crews and an air ambulance attended.

The two men were eventually recovered from the tank, but despite the efforts of emergency responders, both were pronounced dead at the scene.

A FATHER’S DESPERATE ATTEMPT TO HELP HIS SON

The circumstances have made the tragedy particularly painful for those who knew the family.

Alan did not enter the tank as part of the original repair work.

According to the inquest evidence reported by The Sun, he went inside after his son encountered difficulties, apparently in an attempt to help him.

The incident remains the subject of an investigation, and authorities have not yet issued a final account of exactly what happened.

Cheshire Police confirmed after the deaths that an investigation had been launched to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The men’s next of kin were informed, while the family asked for privacy.

THE INQUEST HAS BEEN ADJOURNED

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

Area coroner Victoria Davies opened proceedings before the case was adjourned.

The hearing has been postponed until February 25, 2027, allowing Cheshire Police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to continue their joint investigation.

That means there is not yet a final inquest finding explaining the precise circumstances of the deaths.

Investigators are continuing to examine what happened before and during the incident.

ALAN AND RICK WERE WELL KNOWN IN CHESHIRE FARMING

The loss of Alan and Rick has deeply affected Cheshire’s agricultural community.

Alan was a former chairman and director of the Cheshire Agricultural Society, while Rick had served as a director of the organisation for several years.

Alan retired from his role as chairman and director in April 2026, just months before his death.

Following the tragedy, the Royal Cheshire County Show published a tribute to the father and son.

The society said the Ford family had worked tirelessly for the organisation for many years and that both Alan and Rick would be deeply missed by everyone who knew them.

The organisation also extended its sympathy to the family.

A FAMILY LOSS FELT ACROSS THE FARMING COMMUNITY

Alan and Rick were not simply father and son.

They were also closely connected to the agricultural community they had served for years.

Their deaths have prompted tributes from people who knew them through farming and the Cheshire Agricultural Society.

The Royal Cheshire County Show described the loss as a tragic farming accident and said the Ford family had made a lasting contribution to the society.

For those closest to them, however, the public tributes cannot change the personal loss: a father and son who went into the same tank that afternoon never returned home.

THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

The dangers surrounding agricultural slurry and silage tanks have also drawn attention following the tragedy.

However, investigators have not yet publicly established the precise mechanism that caused Alan and Rick to become unable to escape.

The joint investigation by Cheshire Police and the HSE remains ongoing, and the next stage of the inquest is scheduled for February 2027.

Until the investigation is complete, the full sequence of events inside the tank remains unknown.

What is known is that an ordinary day of farm work turned into a devastating emergency.

Rick had entered the tank to work on a pipe.

When he got into difficulty, his father followed him.

Alan went in trying to save his son.

Both men died.

And now, a farming community in Cheshire is mourning the loss of a father and son whose lives had been deeply intertwined with the land, their family and the agricultural community they served.