Inquest hears of tragic deaths

Inquest hears of tragic deaths

30 January 2013 - by BY JOANNE FLEMING

A CORONER has described the deaths of three members of the one family near Ballynahinch as the worst farming tragedy in Northern Ireland for 20 years.

Ulster rugby player Nevin Spence, his father Noel and brother Graham died in a slurry tank accident last September on their family farm between Ballynahinch and Hillsborough

On the final day of a two-day inquest in Belfast yesterday, coroner John Leckey described it as an “unbelievable” tragedy. He said, however, that the case had helped to raise awareness about the dangers of slurry.

The inquest heard that 30-year-old Graham Spence entered the slurry tank first in an attempt to rescue a dog. He was overcome by fumes and his 22-year-old brother, Nevin, went in to try to save him but lost consciousness.

Their 58-year-old father Noel then entered the tank, but he too was overcome by slurry gas.

Emma Rice dragged her father out of the pit with the help of her neighbours and tried to resuscitate him before going back in to try and rescue her brothers. She was also overcome by poisonous gases and taken to Royal Victoria Hospital for treatment for the inhalation of fumes.

On Tuesday, state pathologist Professor Jack Crane said the levels of hydrogen sulphide and other toxic gases were high enough to render the men unconscious.

The inquest also took evidence from members of the Health and Safety Executive of Northern Ireland (HSENI), who pointed out that every slurry tank was dangerous.

In his concluding remarks, Mr Leckey said: “Everyone was riveted to the radio and newspapers as they couldn’t believe such an awful tragedy could happen in the 21st century.

“Until this happened not everyone was aware of the dangers. What I have been told is the message is getting across to the wider Northern Ireland farming community and their tragic deaths are known throughout the British Isles.”

Mr Leckey requested that the media referred farmers to the HSENI website for slurry safety advice.