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

A father died after entering a farm slurry tank in a desperate attempt to save his son, who had become trapped inside while carrying out repair work.

Alan Ford, 72, and his son Richard “Rick” Ford, 42, both died following the devastating incident at the family farm in Aston-by-Budworth, near Northwich, Cheshire, on August 26.

The tragedy has left the local farming community mourning two men who were closely involved in agriculture and had longstanding connections to the Cheshire Agricultural Society.

An inquest has now heard new details about what happened in the moments before emergency services were called.

RICK HAD ENTERED THE TANK TO REPAIR A PIPE

The incident happened at New Farm on Cann Lane, Aston-by-Budworth, at around 12:20 p.m. on August 26.

According to evidence reported from the opening of the inquest, Rick had entered the slurry tank while carrying out repair work on a pipe.

The 42-year-old, who lived at the farm and was a father of five, subsequently got into difficulty inside the tank.

His father Alan then entered the tank in an attempt to help him.

Tragically, neither man survived.

The precise circumstances that caused Rick to become unable to escape have not yet been established publicly.

Authorities are continuing to investigate what happened inside the tank.

EMERGENCY CREWS RUSHED TO THE FARM

Emergency services were called shortly after midday following reports of an industrial incident.

Police, firefighters and ambulance crews, including air ambulance personnel, attended the farm.

Both men were eventually recovered from the tank.

Despite the efforts of emergency responders, Alan and Rick were pronounced dead at the scene.

The incident prompted an investigation by Cheshire Police and the Health and Safety Executive, the UK’s workplace safety regulator.

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

The family was informed and requested privacy while relatives and friends came to terms with the sudden loss.

A FATHER’S DESPERATE ATTEMPT TO SAVE HIS SON

The circumstances surrounding Alan’s death have made the tragedy particularly painful.

He had not initially entered the tank as part of the repair work.

According to evidence reported at the inquest, Alan went inside after his son encountered difficulties, apparently in an attempt to rescue him.

Both father and son ultimately died.

However, investigators have not yet released a final explanation of the precise sequence of events or what caused the two men to become unable to escape.

For that reason, the full circumstances should not be assumed until the investigation and inquest are completed.

ALAN AND RICK WERE WELL KNOWN IN CHESHIRE’S FARMING COMMUNITY

Alan and Rick were not only members of the same farming family.

They were also prominent figures within the Cheshire agricultural community.

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

Rick had been a director of the society for several years.

Following their deaths, the Royal Cheshire County Show paid tribute to both men.

The Cheshire Agricultural Society said the Ford family had “worked tirelessly” for the organisation for many years and that Alan and Rick would be deeply missed by everyone who knew them.

The society also extended its sympathy and prayers to the family.

A LOSS THAT SHOCKED THE AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY

The deaths have been felt well beyond the Ford family’s farm.

Alan had spent years contributing to the Cheshire Agricultural Society, while Rick had continued that family connection through his role as a director.

Their deaths therefore represented not only the loss of two members of one family, but also the loss of two familiar figures within the wider farming community.

For friends and colleagues, the tributes have focused on their contribution to agriculture and to the Royal Cheshire County Show.

For the family, however, the tragedy is much more personal.

A father and son went into the same farm tank that afternoon.

Neither came home.

THE INQUEST HAS BEEN ADJOURNED

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

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