Devastating details have come to light about the father and son farmers who died last month after falling into a slurry tank.
Alan Ford, 72, and his son Rick, 42, were working on a farm in Aston by Budworth, near Northwich, Cheshire, when they fell into an industrial silage tank around 12.20pm local time on August 26, according to the BBC.
Emergency services raced to the farm and recovered them both from the tank.
Both men were pronounced dead at the scene.
An inquest into the dairy farmers’ deaths has revealed that Alan died in a desperate attempt to save his son, the Northwich Guardian reported.
Rick, a father of five, entered the tank to repair a pipe and became unresponsive.
In attempt to rescue his son, Alan entered the tank but soon became unresponsive himself.
The inquest at Cheshire Coroners’ Court was opened on September 9.
Coroner Victoria Davies said the inquest was necessary given the unnatural deaths of the two men, who were both well-known and regarded within farming communities.
To allow time for a joint investigation into the tragedy, the case has been adjourned.
Alan was formerly chair of the Cheshire Agricultural Society and after their deaths a spokesperson paid tribute to the father-son who died in “a tragic farming accident”.
“Alan retired as Chairman and Director of the Society in April this year and Rick has been a Director of the Society for several years,” the post read.
“The Ford family have worked tirelessly for the Society for many years and both Alan and Rick will be very sadly missed by everyone who knew them.
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“We wish to extend our thoughts, sympathy and prayers to the families at this very difficult time.”
The comment section of the Facebook post was flooded with tributes for the pair.
“We are absolutely astonished and deeply saddened for the loss of two wonderful people who gave so much fantastic support to the community,” wrote one.
“Both Alan and Rick were such real gentlemen, always a pleasure to spend some time in their company,” added another.
The inquest is set to resume on February 25.
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