Cheshire, UK: Father and son Alan, Rick Ford die after falling into industrial silage tank at farm

A father and son have died after a tragic incident at a UK farm.

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.

While Cheshire Police has not officially identified the pair, the Cheshire Agricultural Society, of which Alan was the former chair of, paid tribute to the father and son.

On social media, a spokesperson wrote that they announced the “untimely death” of the father and son “with profound sadness” after they were involved 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.

“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 BBC wrote that the police force said the family had “requested for their privacy to be respected at this difficult time”.

An investigation is now underway to determine the circumstances of the tragedy.