By Paul Hooper
The People
BELFAST, Ireland — A farmer and his two sons died in a horrific accident last night.
Four members of family - including the farmer’s daughter - fell into a slurry tank.
Rescue services pulled out all four but two died at the scene and the third died soon after. Only the girl survived. Early today she was in the Royal Victoria hospital in Belfast recovering from fume inhalation.
The nightmare at Hillsborough, 12 miles from Belfast, is believed to have started when one of the men fell in the tank containing cow manure and water.
Other family members are thought to have rushed to help but were overcome by fumes from the slurry which is used as fertiliser.
An ambulance service spokesman said: “When we arrived three were unconscious and paramedics began resuscitation.
“One of the four showed initial signs of responding and was transported to the nearby Lagan Valley Hospital, where he died a short time later. The other two men died at the scene. A female was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital.”
One of the two dead brothers is believed to be a 22-year-old rugby player with 11 international caps with Ireland’s Under 20’s national team.
The tragedy happened only nine miles from another farm where a farmer died two months ago after falling in a slurry tank.
Pat Catney, a local councillor, said: “I’m shocked and devastated.
It’s another farming accident, and there are too many. “Something has to be done to stop these accidents.”
The Health and Safety Executive has been notified.
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