Father and sons die in slurry tank fall

Published on 16/09/2012 01:52

THREE members of the same family died and another was in hospital last night after they fell into a slurry tank at a farm in Northern Ireland.

A complex rescue operation began at around 6.15pm after the alarm was raised at the farm in Hillsborough in County Down, south of Belfast.

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) despatched three rapid-response paramedics, four accident and emergency vehicles and an ambulance service doctor to the scene.

It was confirmed at around 8.45pm that three men had died, while a woman was being treated in the Royal Victoria 
Hospital.

Those who died are believed to be two brothers and their father. The woman who was injured is believed to be the sister of the brothers and was being treated for fume inhalation.

A source said: “All I can say is that the family involved are very well known and respected in their 
local community and much more widely across Northern Ireland.”

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service was also in attendance and pulled the four people from the slurry pit.

A spokesman said: “Three were unconscious and NIAS paramedics 
commenced resuscitation efforts immediately, assisted by other ambulance 
personnel.

“One of the four showed initial signs of responding to the efforts of the crews and was transported immediately to the nearby Lagan Valley Hospital, where unfortunately he died a short time later.

“Despite the best efforts of all involved the other two men died at the scene.

“A female was treated at the scene and taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital where she is recovering from the effects of fume 
inhalation.”