FATHER, 72, AND SON, 42, DIE AFTER FALLING INTO FARM SLURRY TANK IN CHESHIRE

A 72-year-old father and his 42-year-old son have died after falling into an industrial slurry tank at a farm in Cheshire, in a tragedy that has devastated the local agricultural community.

The victims were named 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 August 26 following reports of an industrial incident.

Police officers, firefighters and ambulance crews, including air and land ambulances, rushed to the scene.

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

FATHER AND SON REMEMBERED BY CHESHIRE AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY

Alan and Rick were well known within Cheshire’s farming community.

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 a director of the society for several years.

Following their deaths, the Royal Cheshire County Show published a tribute on behalf of the Cheshire Agricultural Society.

The society said it was deeply saddened by the “untimely death” of Alan and Rick and described the Ford family as having worked tirelessly for the organisation over many years.

Both men, it said, would be “very sadly missed” by everyone who knew them.

The society also extended its sympathy and support to the Ford family during what it described as an extremely difficult time.

INVESTIGATION INTO THE TRAGEDY

Cheshire Constabulary confirmed that an investigation had been launched to establish exactly what happened.

Police said the men’s next of kin had been informed and that the family had asked for privacy.

It remains unclear from the official statements precisely how the two men came to fall into the tank or what work was being carried out immediately before the incident.

Reports have highlighted the particular dangers associated with agricultural slurry tanks.

Such tanks can contain gases produced during the decomposition of animal waste, including hydrogen sulphide, methane, ammonia and carbon dioxide. At high concentrations, some of these gases can cause a person to lose consciousness extremely quickly.

The risks can also increase when someone attempts an unprotected rescue of another person who has become incapacitated inside a tank.

A COMMUNITY LEFT MOURNING

The deaths of Alan and Rick have sent shockwaves through the Cheshire agricultural community.

Their family had been closely connected to the Royal Cheshire County Show and the Cheshire Agricultural Society for many years.

Alan had only stepped down from his leadership roles with the society a few months before the tragedy, while Rick continued to serve as a director.

For the people who knew them, the incident represents the loss of not only a father and son, but two people who had devoted years to their farming community.

As the investigation continues, authorities are working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the accident.

For now, Alan and Rick are being remembered by their community for the years they spent working, serving and supporting Cheshire’s agricultural life.