Father and Son Die After Falling Into Slurry Tank at Cheshire Farm

General view of the farm in Aston by Budworth, near Arley in Cheshire, where Alan Ford, 72, and his son Rick, 42, died after falling into an industrial silage tank.Credit : 

Eleanor Barlow /PA Wire POLICE/Press Association via AP

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

The incident happened on Wednesday, August 26, at a farm on Cann Lane in the parish of Aston by Budworth, near Arley.

Emergency crews rushed to the farm

Cheshire Police said officers were called to the property at around 12:20 p.m. local time following reports of an industrial incident.

When emergency responders arrived, they discovered that two men, aged 72 and 42, had fallen into an industrial slurry tank.

Both men were rescued from the tank by emergency services. Despite the efforts of those at the scene, however, police confirmed that both were pronounced dead.

Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. The men’s next of kin have been informed.

“The family have requested for their privacy to be respected at this difficult time,” Cheshire Police said.

Victims identified as Alan and Rick Ford

Although police did not initially release the men’s names, the Royal Cheshire County Show later identified them as Alan Ford, 72, and his son Rick, 42.

The pair had longstanding connections to the Royal Cheshire County Show and the Cheshire Agricultural Society.

A statement from the organization described Alan’s death as the loss of a former chairman, while Rick had served as a director for several years.

“As Chairman of the Cheshire Agricultural Society, it is with profound sadness that I have to announce the untimely death of our past Chairman Alan Ford and his son Rick following a tragic farming accident yesterday,” the organization said.

Alan had retired as chairman and director of the society in April 2026. Rick had remained a director for several years.

The organization praised the Ford family for their years of dedication and service.

“Alan and Rick will be very sadly missed by everyone who knew them,” the statement said.

The Royal Cheshire County Show also expressed its sympathy and support to the family during the difficult period.

Investigation continues

The circumstances that led to the fatal accident remain under investigation.

The BBC reported that inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive, the UK’s national workplace health and safety regulator, attended the farm on Wednesday and were working alongside authorities as inquiries continued.

Police have not released further details about what caused the father and son to fall into the slurry tank.