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Boy killed in slurry tank accident near Dunloy was Robert Christie Boy killed in slurry tank accident near Dunloy was Robert Christie
(35 minutes later)
The eight-year-old boy who died in a slurry tank accident at a farm near Dunloy in County Antrim on Saturday afternoon was Robert Christie. The eight-year-old boy who died after becoming overcome by slurry tank gases at a farm near Dunloy, County Antrim, on Saturday was Robert Christie.
His father, who is in his 50s, remains critically ill after the incident on Ballynaloob Road. His father, also called Robert and who is 52, remains critically ill after the accident on Ballynaloob Road.
The boy was airlifted to hospital in Belfast, but doctors were unable to resuscitate him.The boy was airlifted to hospital in Belfast, but doctors were unable to resuscitate him.
It is believed the father and son breathed in poisonous gases as they were mixing slurry. Mr Christie was helping out on the farm, which is close to his own, and had his son with him.
Both were overcome by poisonous fumes as they were mixing slurry and it is understood they were found by a postman on Saturday afternoon.
The Health and Safety Executive is investigating.The Health and Safety Executive is investigating.
A police spokesman said: "At the request of family members, police will not be releasing any further details at this time."A police spokesman said: "At the request of family members, police will not be releasing any further details at this time."
Barclay Bell, the deputy president of the Ulster Farmers Union, said dangerous gases build up in the slurry tanks.Barclay Bell, the deputy president of the Ulster Farmers Union, said dangerous gases build up in the slurry tanks.
"It's really a tank for holding all the waste products from animals produced during the winter time," he said."It's really a tank for holding all the waste products from animals produced during the winter time," he said.
"It stays in these tanks maybe for a number of months and a lethal combination of gases build up, including methane, carbon dioxide, ammonia, and worst of all, probably, hydrogen sulphide.""It stays in these tanks maybe for a number of months and a lethal combination of gases build up, including methane, carbon dioxide, ammonia, and worst of all, probably, hydrogen sulphide."
DUP MP Ian Paisley Jr said: "It is deeply distressing to learn of yet another death near a slurry pit."DUP MP Ian Paisley Jr said: "It is deeply distressing to learn of yet another death near a slurry pit."
He added: "These accidents are tragic as they remind us of the real dangers the farming community face every day."He added: "These accidents are tragic as they remind us of the real dangers the farming community face every day."
Sinn Féin assembly member Daithi McKay said: "Local people here are shocked at what has happened earlier today, as are the farming community across north Antrim."Sinn Féin assembly member Daithi McKay said: "Local people here are shocked at what has happened earlier today, as are the farming community across north Antrim."
TUV assembly member Jim Allister said: "The dangers of farming are ever present and when they claim lives, then it comes home to us all just how vulnerable farming families can be."TUV assembly member Jim Allister said: "The dangers of farming are ever present and when they claim lives, then it comes home to us all just how vulnerable farming families can be."
It is the latest in a long line of fatal accidents involving slurry tanks on Northern Ireland's farms.It is the latest in a long line of fatal accidents involving slurry tanks on Northern Ireland's farms.
The most high profile incident was in September 2012, when Ulster rugby player Nevin Spence, his father Noel and brother Graham died after they were overcome by fumes on their family farm.The most high profile incident was in September 2012, when Ulster rugby player Nevin Spence, his father Noel and brother Graham died after they were overcome by fumes on their family farm.