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08/06/2012
Farmer Dies In Slurry Accident
An inquiry is under way into the death of a farmer in a slurry accident.
William McMillan, 43, died yesterday afternoon while at work at the family farm on the Redhill Road in Dromore.
It is understood he fell into a pit of the thick liquid fertiliser, which is made up of unusable organic matter and animal waste.
His son had been spreading slurry on a field but when he came back to the farmyard at about 2pm, he realised his father was missing.
The Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland is investigating the accident but officials remained tight-lipped about further details.
There are four main causes of farm deaths in Northern Ireland, one of them being accidents involving slurry stores.
The other three are unguarded machinery, handling livestock and falls from heights.
Twelve people died working on Northern Irish farms last year and Mr McMillan has become the fourth farm fatality here this year.
Banbridge councillor Olive Mercer said the accident showed "just how dangerous farming can be".
In a similiar incident last November farmer Glenny Hyndman fell into the slurry tank on his farm.
The HSENI website outlines that the dangers of slurry tanks lie in the gases they release.
Hydrogen sulphide can overcome somebody mixing a slurry tank and the website recommends that farmers ventilate buildings and stay outside while mixing is going on.
(NE)
William McMillan, 43, died yesterday afternoon while at work at the family farm on the Redhill Road in Dromore.
It is understood he fell into a pit of the thick liquid fertiliser, which is made up of unusable organic matter and animal waste.
His son had been spreading slurry on a field but when he came back to the farmyard at about 2pm, he realised his father was missing.
The Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland is investigating the accident but officials remained tight-lipped about further details.
There are four main causes of farm deaths in Northern Ireland, one of them being accidents involving slurry stores.
The other three are unguarded machinery, handling livestock and falls from heights.
Twelve people died working on Northern Irish farms last year and Mr McMillan has become the fourth farm fatality here this year.
Banbridge councillor Olive Mercer said the accident showed "just how dangerous farming can be".
In a similiar incident last November farmer Glenny Hyndman fell into the slurry tank on his farm.
The HSENI website outlines that the dangers of slurry tanks lie in the gases they release.
Hydrogen sulphide can overcome somebody mixing a slurry tank and the website recommends that farmers ventilate buildings and stay outside while mixing is going on.
(NE)
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
