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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Dunloy slurry tragedy: Father remains critically ill as son dies | Dunloy slurry tragedy: Father remains critically ill as son dies |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The father of a boy who died after becoming overcome by slurry tank gases at a farm in County Antrim remains critically ill in hospital. | The father of a boy who died after becoming overcome by slurry tank gases at a farm in County Antrim remains critically ill in hospital. |
| Eight-year-old Robert Christie was airlifted to hospital in Belfast from the farm near Dunloy on Saturday, but doctors were unable to resuscitate him. | Eight-year-old Robert Christie was airlifted to hospital in Belfast from the farm near Dunloy on Saturday, but doctors were unable to resuscitate him. |
| His 52-year-old father, Bertie, was helping out on the farm on Ballynaloob Road, near his own. | |
| Both were overcome by poisonous fumes as they were mixing slurry. | Both were overcome by poisonous fumes as they were mixing slurry. |
| It is understood they were found by a postman on Saturday afternoon. | It is understood they were found by a postman on Saturday afternoon. |
| Dangerous gases | Dangerous gases |
| Northern Ireland's Health and Safety Executive is investigating. | |
| Its chief executive, Keith Morrison, said: "Incidents like this show starkly the dangers which our farming communities face and my heart goes out to those affected by this tragic accident. | |
| "The facts tell us that farming is our most dangerous industry, and that is why members of the Farm Safety Partnership - government and the farming industry together - will continue to work every day to try to avoid these tragic events occurring." | |
| 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." |
| Ulster Unionist assembly member Robin Swann said: "It is becoming clear this is another terrible slurry tank accident. The fact remains that slurry is an ever-present danger on most farms." | |
| SDLP councillor Harry Boyle said: "The Dunloy and Loughgiel community will rally around the Christie family to offer our heartfelt support, just as they have always been a source of support for us in difficult times." | |
| 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. |